Proverbs 21:1 says, The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.  We could interpret this as meaning that whatever a king or person in power does is controlled by God, but I don't believe that is the case.  Instead I believe that if a person in power has put his or her faith in God, then that person will follow God's will.  Verse two states, Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.  We may feel that we can justify our actions, but God searches even our motives for our actions.  We cannot Justify ourselves before God.  Verse three says, To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.  I believe that this simply means that the way we live is more important to God than spiritual rituals.  We cannot go to church on Sunday and hate our neighbor for example and expect God to bless us for our attendance.  Verse four declares, An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.  Some people just seem to be posing so the attention will be on them at all times.  They seem to think that what they say and do is always correct and that what others say and do is wrong, if it goes against them.  We as followers of Christ are not to be full of self pride or self righteousness.  Verse five declares, The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.  If we want to be truly successful in life, then we will live guided by the righteousness of God.  When we follow the ways of the world instead of the righteousness of God we will ultimately fail.  Verse six states, The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.  Gaining earthly wealth by lying and deceit is in vain, or will ultimately amount to nothing.  If we are to follow Christ, we must obey God's commandments and follow His guidance in our lives.  Verse seven declares, The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.  Things that are gained by dishonesty will ultimately destroy a person spiritually.  When someone deals dishonesty with others, he or she refuses to accept God's judgment of his or her actions.  Verse eight says, The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.  The way that some who refuses to follow God lives is strange to God because that person is not following God's guidance.  On the other hand, is someone follows God's guidance, then that person's work is right before God.  Verse nine says, It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.  A person is better off with just a small place to live in peace than in a mansion where there is continually quarreling or contention.  This verse says with a quarreling woman, but I believe it applies to either spouse.  Verse ten proclaims, The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.  The wicked are evil in their soul, and will never be concerned with their neighbors well being.  Verse eleven states, When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.  When those who scorn God suffer punishment, even the simple should be able to learn from it.  When we are wise, or acknowledge God, we should receive His knowledge into our lives.  Verse twelve states, The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.  If we are to be wise in the Lord, we will understand how the wicked of the world gain what they have and avoid following their example.  We will also realize that one day God will judge them for their iniquity and they will be left with nothing.  Verse thirteen declares, Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.  If we refuse to hear the poor when they cry out to us, God will not hear us when we call out to Him.  God's word continually calls for His followers to help the poor.  Verse fourteen says,  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.  Matthew Henry says this could refer to giving a bribe, which would be done in secret, but also says that our gifts should not be given simply to bring attention to our self.  Verse fifteen states, It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.  We should find joy in following God's leadership.  Following God's will should never be viewed as a burden that has been placed on us.  Destruction will come to those who work iniquity, in God's coming judgment if not before.