Week 30
Proverbs 16:3-4, 9 “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil…The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
The Lord never blesses laziness or lack of focus. In godliness Christians are called to the most serious consideration of matters that have both present and eternal impact. We must plan, and we must plan well.
But planning must be done in accord with truth and wisdom. Planning in and of itself does not avail. We cannot bring about the goodness we seek by simply planning. So, how should we Christians think about our future and our planning, especially as we plan in view of God’s sovereignty and ownership of our lives?
First, remember that the Lord’s sovereign ways are higher than our thoughts and ways. We cannot fully comprehend at any one moment in any event in life what God is truly doing. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is involved, intervening, and working to bring about a plan that is good and right in His sight. This plan includes us, but we don’t see it, and we don’t understand it. We don’t understand it, because we don’t understand all of God’s ways. We must come to accept this as reality, and even rejoice in God’s ways, especially when we don’t understand. This is a faith expression that gives us peace in the midst of doubt and confusion.
Second, God’s sovereign plans and ways include evil. The text says that God has a plan for everything, including the “wicked for the day of evil.” We stare into the dark mist of divine providence, and we seek to understand this, but we can’t. God never does evil, but evil is never out of His control. These truths are fundamental to reality and our peace. We MUST grasp these truths by faith and apply them to our lives when we struggle.
Third, the Lord directs our steps both consciously, subconsciously, and providentially. We plan, and we execute our plans. But God is also executing His plan for us and in us. He directs our steps. He does this by twists and turns in life’s road. He opens doors, and He closes doors. He providentially stops us, and sometimes He providentially ushers us forward. He is always and evermore directing our steps. People propose, and He disposes. This is the way of life.
Fourth, this leads us to the wise consideration of committing our way to the Lord for His leadership, blessing, and favor. Our text directly calls us to do this. We can commit our way to the Lord, and we MUST commit our way to the Lord. We commit our way to the Lord when we try to obey the Scriptures and put God’s commands and teachings into practice. We commit our way to the Lord when we pray for God’s guidance and blessing. We commit our way to the Lord when we trust in Him to lead and to undergird. Let us learn to walk with Christ in such a fashion.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I right now commit my way to You. Please lead me in accord with Your will. Intervene as You see fit, and I will follow You. Amen.
