It is amazing how many times I have heard v.3: “People ruin their lives by their own foolishness, and then are angry at the Lord.” We want free will, but no consequences. That is natural – but it can lead to so much anger towards God, and even walking away from God (which, is actually another foolish choice).
Chapter 19 gives a lot of foolish choices people make – rushing (v.2), lying (vv.5, 9, 22, 28), having a short temper (vv.11, 19), being argumentative (v.13), being lazy (vv.15, 24), ignoring God’s laws (v.16), mistreating your parents (v.26), ignoring advice (vv.27, 20), not disciplining your kids (vv.18, 25). These are basic choices – but they require strength and discipline (from God). When we are foolish in these areas, though, we suffer. Our family relationships are hurt because of how we are angry, argue, and don’t discipline. We are distant from those we love, and then blame God for that distance. We rush and lie and ignore God’s way of wisdom – and then our jobs and tasks and chores suffer – and blame God that things fall apart.
God is not the source of my problems. I am; the foolishness of others is. God is the source of my strength and guard – I will not turn my Defender into my enemy.
http://nlt.scripturetext.com/proverbs/19.htm
