July 14 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 10–12; Acts 19:1–20

Deep Waters

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters. Proverbs 20:5

READ Proverbs 20:4–5, 24–25

When Bill Pinkney sailed solo around the world in 1992—taking the hard route around the perilous Great Southern Capes—he did it for a higher purpose. His voyage was to inspire and educate children. That included students at his former school. His goal? To show how far they could go by studying hard and making a commitment—the word he chose in naming his boat. When Bill takes schoolkids on the water in Commitment, he says, “They’ve got that tiller in their hand and they learn about control, self-control, they learn about teamwork . . . all the basics that one needs in life to be successful.”

Pinkney’s words paint a portrait of Solomon’s wisdom. “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” (Proverbs 20:5). He invited others to examine their life goals. Otherwise, “it is a trap,” said Solomon, “to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows” (v. 25).

In contrast, William Pinkney had a clear purpose that eventually inspired thirty thousand students to learn from his journey. “The kids were watching,” he said. With similar purpose, let’s set our course by the deep counsel of God’s instructions to us.

By Patricia Raybon

In your life, what is the why for your work or ministry? What legacy do you hope to leave by what you accomplish?

Inspire me, faithful God, to commit to working with a purpose that glorifies You.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Proverbs are wisdom-sayings derived from life observations. When Solomon asked God for wisdom to rule His people, God granted it to him (1 Kings 3:5–9; 4:29–31). Part of that wisdom may have been supernatural insight where God miraculously gave him what he needed at any given moment (Proverbs 20:24). However, God might also have allowed him to see life clearly and to understand it in a way that no one else could.

Solomon “spoke three thousand proverbs” (1 Kings 4:32) and is the author of many of them in the book of Proverbs.