but from the LORD comes the tongue’s response. (Proverbs 16:1 NABRE)
As I sit here struggling with a respond to today's verse, I suddenly smile with the realization that it is a perfect summary of the process I go through each morning! It perfectly describes the source of this blog's daily inspiration. And it reminds me once again that this is not about me but about bringing glory to our God!
After sitting with today's verse, praying about it and even researching its ideas, I find that my original plan to discuss the great-yet-often-unwelcome gift of unanswered prayers is replaced by a message that we do not provide for ourselves, only God does. I am led to awareness that what God provides is what we need.
About 300 years ago, Matthew Henry an insightful Bible commentators wrote, "As we read this [verse], it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do."* Henry goes on to reference Philippians 2:13, "For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work."
Our bishops today agree, telling us that words, like actions, often produce results different from those which were planned, and this comes under the agency of God.*
And the ultimate value of this understanding is summed up beautifully by today's saint, Vincent de Paul who wrote, "Strive to live content in the midst of those things that cause your discontent. Free your mind from all that troubles you, God will take care of things. You will be unable to make haste in this [choice] without, so to speak, grieving the heart of God, because he sees that you do not honor him sufficiently with holy trust. Trust in him, I beg you, and you will have the fulfillment of what your heart desires."*
Today, I will trust that God will take care of things.
Saint Vincent de Paul, patron of charities, pray for us.
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