Proverbs 22

“Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity” (v8).  The proverbs teach us about sowing and reaping: while we all deal with unexpected storms in life, we also deal with the fruit of our own choices.  “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it” (v3).  God mercifully gives us guardrails for living, to help us avoid suffering caused by sin.  “Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them” (v5).

“Apply your heart to my knowledge …that your trust may be in the LORD” (v17-19). As we “apply our hearts” to following the Lord, obedience and trust reinforce each other.