Jun 9 (Daily reading: Proverbs 19-21) Our plans or God’s purposes? (Part 2) “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails” (19:21, NIV). When God directed us to do house church work with French Creole professionals, this verse became a lifeline. I had so many things in my heart that I wanted to see happen, yet I began with so much fear of failing. As I learned to put priority on God’s purposes instead of my plans, I began to see His extraordinary work among the people.
I discovered the truth of what Solomon wrote: “A man’s steps are ordained by the LORD; how then can a person understand his way?” (20:24). When our steps are following His steps, and when our hearts are committed to His purposes, the results are sometimes beyond understanding! What a blessing to live in a way that can only be explained by the power of God! As Paul expressed it, “so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor. 4:7).
Yesterday we read: “There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death” (16:25). Solomon expressed this same thought in another way: “Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD examines the hearts” (21:2). Some would advise: “Just follow your heart.” Are you sure you want to do that? “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9). The heart may lead us to do what is right in our own eyes. But when we go to Jesus, He examines the deeper things of our heart, our priorities and our motives. Solomon underlined this: “All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, but the LORD examines the motives” (16:2).
– Al Gary
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