Review
This is part of a series, studying the book of Proverbs during the month of July, 2011. For more details click here.
Theme
Have you ever played the game Repeater? Basically it's a game generally played with just two people. At the onset, only one person really knowing that the game is happening. The person in the know mimics and copies, word for word, whatever the other person speaks. "It's juvenile, it's childish, it's annoying - and it's fun!" "It's juvenile, it's childish, it's annoying - and it's fun!"
Charter 16 is much like the game repeater. This chapter contains numerous verses that Solomon has already shared. So why bother restating the same old worn out sayings over and over again? Did the king run out of things to say, or just enjoy listening to himself? Isn't less the new more?
These verses are being repeated because of their importance. Verse one repeats almost word for word in verse nine, and verse thirty-three restates the same thought in a more illustrative manner. Three times Solomon shares that God is in control of our lives, regardless of the control we think we have over our path. Verse three from this chapter is a repeat from Proverbs 3:6. So on and so forth - I think you get the picture.
We've all heard the saying, "Practice makes perfect." Well I say hogwash. If practice makes perfect, Shaquille O'Neal would not have missed an astonishing 5,317 regular season free throws (his career free throw percentage is 53%, while the NBA average is around 75%). He spent hundreds of hours working on free throws. He brought in numerous experts to help him improve his percentage of made shots, all to no avail. Practice does not make perfect - it makes permanent.
Why does Solomon use three verses to speak to God's control over our lives? Because we need to hear it at least that many times each day. We need to hear it because we continue to forget just all that He's done for us in our lives. We need to hear it that many times because, in the end, He's all that really matters.
Charter 16 is much like the game repeater. This chapter contains numerous verses that Solomon has already shared. So why bother restating the same old worn out sayings over and over again? Did the king run out of things to say, or just enjoy listening to himself? Isn't less the new more?
These verses are being repeated because of their importance. Verse one repeats almost word for word in verse nine, and verse thirty-three restates the same thought in a more illustrative manner. Three times Solomon shares that God is in control of our lives, regardless of the control we think we have over our path. Verse three from this chapter is a repeat from Proverbs 3:6. So on and so forth - I think you get the picture.
We've all heard the saying, "Practice makes perfect." Well I say hogwash. If practice makes perfect, Shaquille O'Neal would not have missed an astonishing 5,317 regular season free throws (his career free throw percentage is 53%, while the NBA average is around 75%). He spent hundreds of hours working on free throws. He brought in numerous experts to help him improve his percentage of made shots, all to no avail. Practice does not make perfect - it makes permanent.
Why does Solomon use three verses to speak to God's control over our lives? Because we need to hear it at least that many times each day. We need to hear it because we continue to forget just all that He's done for us in our lives. We need to hear it that many times because, in the end, He's all that really matters.
Key Verse For Me
Proverbs 16:1 - We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.
Quote
Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect. - Vince Lombardi
Related Scriptures
Proverbs 16:9 - We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:33 - We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
Proverbs 16:33 - We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
Prayer
I know, LORD, that my life is not my own. I am not able to plan my own course. So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die. - Jeremiah 10:23-24
So what verse(s) stick out to you and why?
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