Week 22: Pure Motives

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27, John 15:1-27, Psalm 119:49-64, Proverbs 16:1-3
• Monday: 2 Samuel 12:1-31, John 16:1-33, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 16:4-5
• Tuesday: 2 Samuel 13:1-39, John 17:1-26, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 16:6-7
• Wednesday: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22, John 18:1-24, Psalm 119:97-112, Proverbs 16:8-9
• Thursday: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23, John 18:25-19:22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 16:10-11
• Friday: Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 16:12-13
• Saturday: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10, John 20:1-31, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 16:14-15

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Proverbs and the gospel of John:

Scripture:

Proverbs 16:1-3

1 We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer. 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. 3 Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.

John 15:3

You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you.

Observation:
Today's SOAP from Proverbs 16, written by Solomon, could very well apply to the story of his father David and his mother Bathsheba, as recorded in today's scripture reading from 2 Samuel 11. David had gathered his thoughts, had made a plan to cover up his sins, and may have even thought he was pure in his own eyes. However, the LORD gave him the right answer through the prophet Nathan after examining David's true motives. The end of 2 Samuel 11:27 says:

But the LORD was very displeased with what David had done.

Application:
I can't tell you how many times I thought I had pure motives, but was blind to some of the 'negative side effects' that my motives caused for others. The LORD examines our hearts and checks our true motives, so it's good to ask yourself: "what is my true motive here, and does it line up with God's will?" When I read John 15 versus 1:2 this morning, it made me wonder if God would need to "prune" me. Then I read verse 3, where Jesus says: "You have already been pruned by the message I have given you." What a great comfort! If I listen and obey Jesus' commandments (such as John 15 verse 9 and 10), I don't need extra pruning! How can I check that my motives are pure and aligned with God's will? By following Jesus commandments, the greatest of which is to 'love others'.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you convict me of any wrong motives through your Holy Spirit. Help to stay pure in thoughts and actions, and that everything I do is aligned with your will, and your Son's commandment of loving one another. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great week of reading and SOAPing!

In Christ,

Dick