Proverbs 16:9
”In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.“
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Most of us don't want to spend our lives doing little more than taking up space and breathing air. We want our lives to matter. The challenge is finding the right ways to do that and the right places to invest our time, interest, efforts, and money.
The Scripture speaks with a clear voice about this issue. We can make all the plans we can imagine, pursue all the goals we conjure up, and seek to achieve fame and fortune for ourselves. However, all those efforts will become empty if God is not behind them. Making plans without seeking the Lord's will is spiritually and eternally dangerous. Only God can establish and confirm the investment of our lives.
You can plan your future all you want, but ultimately the Lord is the one who establishes your steps. We may think it's possible to influence God into doing things our way or somehow modify His will to align with our plans. However, our plans are so shortsighted in comparison to an omniscient God.
From the moment we come crying into this world, we begin to perform our duty. We assume our role in the plan of God and in the ordination of God. We begin the journey of life.
Whatever our background and whatever the journey ahead of us, none can escape the orchestration and arrangement that God has in store and none are in control of their destiny, for only He who rules over all things is capable of such work. Since the day humans came into existence, God has been steady in His work managing this universe and directing the change and movement of all things.
Like all things, humans quietly and unknowingly receive the nourishment of the sweetness of rain and dew from God. Like all things, humans unknowingly live under the orchestration of God's hand. The heart and spirit of mankind are held in the hand of God, and all the life of mankind is beheld in the eyes of God. Regardless of whether or not we believe this, any and all things, living will shift, change, renew, and disappear according to God’s thoughts. This is how God rules over all things.
This proverb also speaks to how there will be moments in our lives when we face trials and hard times. Even in those circumstances, God is still very much present and all that is happening has been planned out by Him. This verse provides for us an all encompassing picture of who God is in terms of how we ought to live and the control He has over this world.
God not only knows the future, but holds the future in His hands. How wise, therefore, to use our rational thought and God given free will to plan wisely, to the best of our ability, while recognizing that while God may permit our plan to move forward, He may overrule it or even advance it further.
What a comfort to know that while we have the freedom to make our plans, the Lord will direct our feet into the way that is best for us. May we embrace this statement of fact as a promise of God to each one of us and rejoice that, the mind of mankind plans their way, But the Lord directs their steps.
Let us daily pursue living for Him and place Him at the center of hearts so when we take steps in life, He is the one that will be directly leading and guiding us to live for Him and His Glory!!!
Father, thank You for this day and the breathe of life to experience it. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family's portion today. Lord, we know it is You and only you who possesses the power to direct our steps. Lord, we pray that our plans would align with Your plans for our lives. We know and trust that the plans You have for us are good. Lord, we pray that You will direct each and every one of our steps, allowing us to be influenced by the Spirit and Your grace. May all our steps glorify You, and may we never doubt the plans You have for us. Lord, let us be the touch of Your mercy and grace that someone needs today.
Father, we love You. Amen
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