August 27, 2026 -- Proverbs 14:22 -- Devising good

Do they not go astray who devise evil?

Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22 ESV

A commentary notes that a question has a way of getting past your defenses and digging into your mind so that the teaching is intensified. Look again, the first part of today’s text is a question. Digging into your past. Asking you to look around you and see if you can uncover examples of the truth of the statement. Moving on, to devise evil is to work with it, like a carpenter works with his tools to build something, like an engraver works with metals to produce brilliant designs. Devising evil takes effort. You put sweat equity into it and are a lesser man for it. Evil is not something you just fall into. It is something you plan, you prepare for, you meditate on. When the opportunity for evil presents itself, you are primed and ready to execute it.

The man of God plans, prepares for, and meditates on the good. Guided by the word of God, filled with the Spirit, bad plans, wayward designs and sin are intrusions to the good he wants to accomplish. While the bad is still easily correctable, or the temptation to sin is small, the one devising good man discards the bad. He knows a little evil will destroy years of hard work and crush a reputation. He makes good plans to obey God by knowing the word and putting it into action. He devises good, thinking how he can help his neighbour. The man devising good looks for ways to change his stance against his enemy so that the enemy is disarmed by the good man’s compassion exercised in Jesus’ Name. He is devising good among fellow believers and in the household of faith. The one who devises good works with good like a painter splashes colours on canvas. Like a sculptor works with stone removing whatever needs to be taken off, so that the final product is a work of art. Devising good is as attention-grabbing as magnificent art. Better even, because it is so rare in our world.

Those who devise good have been captivated by the beauty of Jesus. Those who devise good have the Holy Spirit of God living in them showing them opportunities for working out good, like an artist designing the next major project. Those who devise good rest in the goodness of God, surprised at how gracious our Good Father is—He is the source of all good. He is the instigator of circumstances where opportunities for good will abound in your life.

Heavenly Father, You are good and Your love endures from generation to generation. Thank You for the men and women who have displayed the evidence of Your goodness in our lives. Thank You for those who have taught us the ways of Jesus. Thank You for the work of Your Holy Spirit Who is directing us to devise good so that others will, with joy, meet Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/-ak0OoFBw3c?si=OmY6T8PbND9GvO1i Good Good Father