22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
Proverbs 14:22 (ESV)
Although the expression "no-brainer" has been used and overused for the past 60 years, it is very applicable to the first part of today's verse. Of course people to "devise evil" go astray. They wander off the path that God has planned for their lives. While God might choose to use the evil plans of people (e.g., Judas Iscariot), the individual has most assuredly strayed from God's perfect will.
But the second half of Proverbs 14:22, now that gives one cause for pause. "Those who devise good. . ."
My plan is to begin each day with a quiet time alone with God. While the routine varies slightly, prayer and Bible study are generally a part of those morning times. In looking back on these a.m. sessions, I don't remember "devising good".
Prayer for others. Check. Prayer of confession. Roger. Prayer for guidance. Yep. But a conscious prayer for and plan for doing good? Hmmm. . .
What would that look like? Perhaps there might be a prayer for a specific person or situation at work where a you need to make a conscious prayer to do good. Or maybe the prayer is for a heightened spiritual sensitivity to any situation throughout the day where you go that extra mile or offer that needed word of encouragement.
Benjamin Franklin wrote, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
"Devise good." Intentionally plan to be kind, reasonable, nice. Pray about those people and situations where a little extra goodness might be needed. What daily plan you develop to help you do more good?
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