Proverbs 16:9
The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
I am notorious for an active mind. My mind seldom rests and takes a nap. In the middle of the night I wake up with ideas of how to help a client, complete a project, or do something innovative. My mind is constantly racing with big plans and great ideas. At least, "great" to me. This is what Solomon tells us in this proverb ... our plans are not "great." We think they are. We think what we are planning and churning in our minds is something magical and contemplative. However, Solomon, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, reminds us that all the designing and deciding and angling doesn't move one step without God's direction. This proverb very much mirrors what Solomon has already told us in Proverbs 3 about trusting God in all our ways. God will give us guidance. In 16:1, 19:21, and 20:24, he further tells us about the relationship between our plans and God's sovereignty:
Proverbs 16:1 (ESV)
The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Proverbs 20:24 (ESV)
A man's steps are from the LORD;
how then can man understand his way?
Solomon is not telling us to fail to plan. He is telling us that God is in control of plans ...no matter how we plan them. This is offensive to the non-believer. Those who have no faith believe they are the "captain of their own souls" and that they live on an island. However, God is telling us that we are all within His control and our plans are subject to His direction. That may be hard to digest. But truth should set us free, not give us fear. When we make plans and we desire to follow God's way we can be assured that even if we plan poorly God can still directing us. Rest in this proverb ... don't resist it.
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