Jun 8 (Daily reading: Proverbs 16-18) Our plans or God’s purposes? (Part 1) It is the way of man to plan, set goals, count resources, determine obstacles; in other words, do all he can to ensure success. This way of thinking, although commended by the world, will not always work if your end goal is accomplishing the purposes of God. This is true because, as God expressed it to Isaiah, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Is. 55:8). Solomon wrote, “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue” (16:1, NIV). We can make plans in our heart, but the Lord will always have the last word!
Solomon gave the solution for making sure our plans agree with God’s purpose: “Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established” (16:3). I like that word, “established.” It means determined, set, confirmed—all because we are committed to the Lord’s purpose! This is what he meant when he wrote: “The mind of a person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” (16:9). God does not overlook the desires of our heart, and He does not override our free will. But His Spirit inspires us, plants divine thinking in our hearts, and then guides our steps!
You see, “There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death” (16:25). Are we so capable, talented, and brilliant that we do not need God? Look at history; look at your own experience: man can be very inventive in messing up! Do we really want to do what we can dream up and accomplish in our own strength, or do we want to know God’s purposes and have His promise that He will accomplish them through us?
– Al Gary
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