Proverbs 16
1: The plans of the heart belong to man, BUT the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
9: The mind of man plans his way, BUT the Lord directs his steps.
33: The lot is cast into the lap, BUT its every decision is from the Lord.
(NASB)
We live in a world full of worry, anxiety, and fear. We are frustrated when our plans fail or when life take an unexpected turn - we don't get into the school we want, we are betrayed, we miss out on the ideal job, make a bad choices leaving us hopeless, and the list goes on. The book of Proverbs help us handle all the unwanted circumstances of life that can be summarized in these few words - "God is sovereign". The plans that begin in the heart, to the outworking of the mind, to the outcome of our decision are directed and answered by the Lord. There is no such thing and random chances, choices, or outcome. They are all the working of God.
How we understand God's character determines how we respond to this truth. Because God is love and he is a Father to his children. As a Father, he disciplines those he loves. He draws our attention to His heart and what he wants best for us. And at times, these lessons can be painful, but God's desired outcome for us is always best for us. Yet, not all outcomes are good for us when we turn from him. "The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life" (V17). The older I become the more I am able to recognize the evilness of our days. I'm not pessimistic in thinking that everyone around us is evil. I'm being a realistic in seeing that evil comes in all size, shape, and form - even as an angel of light. And there's no "highway" to righteousness than God. Else, Jesus would never make such a bold claim that he is the way, the truth, and the life.
If you are walking with Him, trust and abide even when things do not turn out the way you wanted. Our thoughts, plans, and successes or failures (a topic to be discuss on another day) are sovereignly in His control.
Pray: Father, scrutinize my path, test my heart, that I may know that I am yours. When I am affirmed, help me to trust in who you are - God, King, Father - that I may rest in all the outcome of my life in your sovereign hands.
1: The plans of the heart belong to man, BUT the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
9: The mind of man plans his way, BUT the Lord directs his steps.
33: The lot is cast into the lap, BUT its every decision is from the Lord.
(NASB)
We live in a world full of worry, anxiety, and fear. We are frustrated when our plans fail or when life take an unexpected turn - we don't get into the school we want, we are betrayed, we miss out on the ideal job, make a bad choices leaving us hopeless, and the list goes on. The book of Proverbs help us handle all the unwanted circumstances of life that can be summarized in these few words - "God is sovereign". The plans that begin in the heart, to the outworking of the mind, to the outcome of our decision are directed and answered by the Lord. There is no such thing and random chances, choices, or outcome. They are all the working of God.
How we understand God's character determines how we respond to this truth. Because God is love and he is a Father to his children. As a Father, he disciplines those he loves. He draws our attention to His heart and what he wants best for us. And at times, these lessons can be painful, but God's desired outcome for us is always best for us. Yet, not all outcomes are good for us when we turn from him. "The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life" (V17). The older I become the more I am able to recognize the evilness of our days. I'm not pessimistic in thinking that everyone around us is evil. I'm being a realistic in seeing that evil comes in all size, shape, and form - even as an angel of light. And there's no "highway" to righteousness than God. Else, Jesus would never make such a bold claim that he is the way, the truth, and the life.
If you are walking with Him, trust and abide even when things do not turn out the way you wanted. Our thoughts, plans, and successes or failures (a topic to be discuss on another day) are sovereignly in His control.
Pray: Father, scrutinize my path, test my heart, that I may know that I am yours. When I am affirmed, help me to trust in who you are - God, King, Father - that I may rest in all the outcome of my life in your sovereign hands.
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