Proverbs 21
Hearts, Horses, and Hope: What Proverbs 21 Taught Us
We recently spent some time in Proverbs 21, and a few verses really stuck with us—two near the beginning and two at the end. Specifically, verses 2 & 3 and verses 30 & 31. These verses tugged at our hearts, challenged our motives, and filled us with fresh hope in a chaotic world. As we read through them in different translations—NIV, ESV, and The Message—they only got richer. Here's what we took away, and how we’re trying to live this out.
What’s Really Driving Us?
Let’s start with verses 2 and 3. In the NIV, they read:
“All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
The Message puts it even more pointedly:
“We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives. Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to God than religious performance.”
This led us to pause and ask ourselves a hard question: What’s our motivation? Why are we doing the things we’re doing?
Is it to look good? To feel accepted? To ease our insecurities? Or is it truly to honor God and love others well?
Even small, everyday things—like exercising, posting on social media, or helping someone in need—can be traced back to a deeper motivation. And God sees all of it. He’s not just looking at what we do but why we do it.
One thing that stood out is how verse 3 reminds us of what matters most to God: not outward performance, but righteousness and justice rooted in love. It’s the same heart echoed in the greatest commandments—to love God and to love others.
So we’re learning to slow down and ask: Why am I doing this? Then surrender that motive to the Lord, asking Him to purify our hearts.
We Prepare, But God Prevails
At the end of Proverbs 21, we were struck again—this time by verses 30 and 31:
“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.” (ESV)
The Message version says:
“Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived can get the better of God. Do your best, prepare for the worst—then trust God to bring victory.”
What a timely reminder for our world today.
So much is swirling around us—from global uncertainty and political unrest to personal challenges and inner battles. It can feel overwhelming. But these verses call us back to one unshakeable truth: God is still in control. No plan, no strategy, no human effort can override His authority.
Even when things look bleak—whether in our culture, our health, or our relationships—God is not surprised. He’s not scrambling. He’s sovereign. And while we’re called to prepare, plan, and act in obedience, the outcome rests in His hands, not ours.
Trust, Adjust, Obey
We talked about a simple phrase a friend from church often says: “Trust, adjust, and obey.” It’s become a bit of a life motto for us.
Trust God’s plan and His timing.
Adjust when the Spirit redirects us.
Obey even when we’re unsure of the outcome.
We do our best to be faithful in the day-to-day, and then we hand over the results to the One who’s always faithful.
And honestly, when we think about people like David standing before Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45–47), we’re reminded of the kind of bold, trusting obedience God honors. David prepared with what he had—a sling and a few stones—but he didn’t trust in his tools. He trusted in God. And that’s what gave him victory.
Let’s Live This Out
As we wrap up, here are the questions we’re carrying with us this week:
What’s my motivation for the things I’m doing?
Am I prioritizing love and justice over performance?
Am I doing what I can to prepare while trusting God with the outcome?
We want to be people who do our best, walk in obedience, and trust God with the rest.
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” – Proverbs 21:31
Let’s prepare faithfully, love deeply, live justly—and rest confidently in the hands of our victorious God.
