It had been a long, trying and tiring day. It seemed as though there was one demand after another - each more consuming than the preceding one. While sitting alone and looking out the window at a yard filled with pine trees, my little dog Bella came and sat at my feet. Finally, I thought, here’s someone who has come to comfort me.

Shortly after she sat down and looked into my eyes, she began to bark loudly. Not wanting to be disturbed, I tried to avoid looking at her - hoping she would come to the conclusion that I did not want to be bothered. It didn’t work. She persisted until I looked at her, shook my head, got up from my chair and fed her.

What I find so amazing is that she expects to be fed at the same time each day. It is as though she has a plan in place waiting to be executed. But, she does not have the ability to plan. Only man, created in the image of God, has been given the ability to plan. It is a God-given gift and to be used to glorify and honor God. And notice, if you will, that it comes from the heart - our very essence - the sum total of all the gifts God has given to us.

But notice, also, “the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.” We may make the most intricate, time consuming and carefully designed plans for what we think is best for us and others. But, in the end, only God knows what is best for every situation, decision, problem or plan.

We must always recognize the sovereignty of God in all things. We must wait upon Him to speak to us and give us the assurance that our plans agree with His plans!

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to understand that the best plans ever conceived will fail without Your blessing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 16:1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

Two men had not seen each for quite some time and were renewing their friendship.

"How's your wife, Fred?" asked Al.

"Haven't you heard? She's in heaven," said Fred.

"Oh, I'm sorry," replied Al. Catching himself, he apologized and said, "I mean, I'm glad."

But it still did not come out right, so he said, "What I really mean is that I'm surprised."

Seeing the confusion on Fred's face, Al tried once again. "What I'm trying to say is that I'm sure you are relieved."

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, our words just do not come out right. Try as we might, we get them twisted or turned in the wrong direction. What we want to say is not what we actually say. And then they become quite discouraging or devastating to the person we are talking to.

The wise writer of Proverbs said, "We gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives us the right answer." When others come to us for help or counsel, we must always be thoughtful and ask the Lord to guide us as we talk. When we speak without thinking or give advice without carefully considering all of the possibilities or alternatives, we may do more harm than good.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to be careful in all that we say. May our words encourage and enlighten. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.