We must pray and carry our burden and our cross, just as Jesus carried His. Whenever we can, we rest in Christ who says that His burden is light and His yoke is easy. Because it is also better to be with God than without Him.
The content intertwines biblical teachings that emphasize the need for faithfulness, discernment, and justice as foundations for a fulfilling life.
Psalm 12 warns of the disappearance of faithfulness in the world, where lies and deceit proliferate through false lips. However, it offers hope by proclaiming that God rises to defend the poor and oppressed, guaranteeing that His words are sincere and pure. This text emphasizes that, in an era of corruption, the voice of God remains the only authentic source of comfort and truth.
Proverbs 16 complements this message by teaching that, although we plan our ways, it is the Lord who examines our consciences and directs our steps. The discernment of justice emerges as central: humility, wisdom, patience, and self-control are worth more than wealth, pride, or power. Gentle words, righteousness, and trust in the Lord are presented as paths that lead to life and true success.
The article synthesizes a reflection on how what seems easy or appealing does not always do us good. True blessedness resides in faithfulness to God, in justice, in humility, and in sincere words — virtues that require spiritual effort, but lead to peace and divine favor.
Let us read Psalm 12: The faithful are vanishing. Help, Lord! The faithful are vanishing! Faithfulness disappears among men: everyone lies to their neighbor with deceitful lips and ulterior motives. May the Lord cut off all deceitful lips, and the arrogant tongue of those who say: our strength is in our tongue, our weapons are our lips. Who can master us? The Lord declares: Now I will rise to defend the oppressed poor and the needy who groan. I will save whoever wishes to be saved! The words of the Lord are sincere words, pure silver, without any impurity, refined seven times. Yes, Lord, You will keep us, delivering us forever from these people. The wicked prowl everywhere, when corruption is exalted among men. What is the most encouraging and friendly word of all? Ah! For me, it is the voice of God.
Proverbs 16: The discernment of justice. Man makes his plans, but the answer comes from the Lord. A person may think their conduct is right, but it is the Lord who examines the consciences. Commit to the Lord everything you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord does everything for a purpose, even the wicked for the day of disaster. The Lord detests the proud, who certainly will not go unpunished.
With love and faithfulness, guilt is atoned for, and with the fear of the Lord, evil is avoided. When the Lord approves of someone's conduct, He reconciles even their enemies with them. Better a little with justice than great gains violating rights. Man plans his way, but it is the Lord who directs his steps. There is an oracle on the king's lips, and his mouth does not err in judgment. Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights are His work. Kings detest the practice of evil, for it is through justice that the throne is established. The king approves of sincere lips and loves those who speak with righteousness. The king's wrath is a herald of death, but a wise man can appease it. In the serene face of the king is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings rain. Better to acquire wisdom than gold, and better to acquire discernment than silver. The path of the upright is to avoid evil, and whoever guards their own way preserves their life. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Better to be humble with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever is careful with their words succeeds, and whoever trusts in the Lord is happy. Whoever has a wise mind will be called intelligent, and speaking with gentleness is far more persuasive. Prudence is a fountain of life for those who possess it, but stupidity is the school of fools. The wise of mind has a discreet mouth, and their lips are far more persuasive. Gentle words are a honeycomb: sweet to the throat and healthy for the body. There are paths that seem right, but they end up leading to death. The worker's hunger compels him to work, because his mouth drives him. The sluggard causes disaster and carries scorching fire on his lips. The perverse man stirs up strife, and the slanderer separates friends. The violent man entices his neighbor and leads him along the wrong path. Whoever winks their eye plans fraud; whoever bites their lips has already practiced evil. Gray hair is a noble crown, when found in the path of justice. Patience is better than strength, and controlling oneself is better than conquering a city. Men cast lots to determine outcomes, but the sentence comes from the Lord.