“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” Proverbs 21:2
The first part of the verse speaks of the way of man. These are his actions, which, taken in totality, add up to his course of life or mode of living. The second part of the verse speaks of man’s heart. This indicates his thinking, his motives, and his intentions. Man is looking at his actions, and he generally feels that they are good. Man thinks that his actions are justifiable, even when he knows he has done something that others might view as questionable. However, God is looking at man’s heart. God sees our thoughts as well as our actions, and He knows why we have done what we have done. The verse says that God ponders our hearts. The word ponder indicates that God weighs, tests, and evaluates our hearts. Man has already decided that the things he does are OK, but God continues to evaluate his actions in the light of his motives. Of course, one day we will all stand before God, and He will judge us according to our works. Our opinion of ourselves will not matter on that day; only the Righteous Judge’s assessment will be of consequence then. What does God use as the standard for His judgment? God judges us by His Word. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,” (Hebrews 4:12). We must test our actions by God’s Word rather than our own opinions.
Morning: Proverbs 19-21
Evening: II Corinthians 7