A Daily Devotion for Friday May15
Proverbs 16:1-7
To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
The LORD works out everything
to its proper end — even the wicked for
a day of disaster.
The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.
When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
Again we find scripture reminding us to find God and to expect God in our “everyday.” We are to experience God not just in the highs and lows of life, but in our everyday, routine, “predictable” day. There are so many moments of beauty, I am sure, which I miss. At the end of my career, it is a time of looking back with those I have spent so many hours, and we often remark together how much progress has been made. This may be a time for me to (out loud) include God while acknowledging that progress.
Holy Lord, I sense your presence with me every day. Help me to remember it is your will which determines that path. Amen
Becky, transforming
Proverbs 16:1-7 Finding Purpose
Unlike today's author, I never felt a loss of purpose in my job as a teacher. I grew so much in that job and loved teaching in my own home town and at the high school I graduated from. When I retired, I did worry about how to find purpose in retirement. It didn't matter to me what I did as long as I felt I was making a difference. It really wasn't hard and I find that now I have almost too much to do somedays. That is not a bad thing.
Prayer: Gracious God, Thank you for always guiding me and the talents I have to do work in your name. AMEN
Proverbs 16:1-7
What came to my mind as I read these scriptures was the path to my retirement. In the later few years, I found myself at odds with the corporation’s approach, mainly regarding the expectations of the staff in my charge (long and complicated details…). I thought and prayed long and hard about my next steps and my plan to retire. Was it really OK, was it the right time? I made my plans and I retired with quite a bit of trepidation. I know now that God cares about my plans and is in control of the outcomes, God cares about why I do things as well as caring that I live a life that is pleasing to…
Friday, May 15th, 2026
Finding Purpose
Focus those seeking purpose in their work
Today’s reading: Proverbs 16: 1-7
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
This week the scripture lessons were very clear to me l
Because they provide the same advice to surrender my human abilities and fix my life, plans, and emotional well-being in God’s presence.
Chronicles 16:11: Look to God for strength. This advises us to continually seek God’s presence instead of relying on our own limited power.
Proverbs 16:3: Commit your plans to God. This advises us to surrender our goals, worries, and daily actions to Him so He can guide them successfully
Psalm 33:18 Run to God when…
Proverbs 16:1-7
I can definitely relate to our Upper Room contributor’s dilemma. There are times I can sense purpose and value in the work I do and then there are times when it seems I am but a small cog in a massive joke Satan is maliciously playing on the world. I am at a point in life when I need to reassess what is genuine service and what just generates income while malevolently sucking the joy out of life. This will take discernment and careful thought but has the real potential to bring me closer to God.
Prayer - All-knowing God, Source of all Wisdom, please help me discern where and when I can do the most good for…