The thing I like about Proverbs is that you get lots of little nuggets. Nuggets like this one.
Proverbs 16:1(NKJV)
The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
What strikes me
about this passage is that it lays the responsibility on us to prepare our
hearts to build that relationship with God.
Don't get me wrong. God will meet us and
love us where ever we are. But God won't
force that relationship to grow. I
believe that is where the "preparations of the heart" comes in.
What are the preparations of the heart? I'd say prayer and being in the Word on a consistent basis. Two pretty simple things to do….if they are important enough to us.
Why does God put the onus on us?
I think there is a principal here. Maybe a bigger principal than first thought.
The principal that we have to work and strive for all that we want in life….including our relationship with God! By putting the onus on us, God is easily able to see who is serious about building a relationship with Him and who isn't.
Does that make sense?
