God Establishes Plans

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

God Establishes Plans

Date: Dec. 9, 2023

Passage

Proverbs 16:1-9 (ESV)

1   The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2   All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the LORD weighs the spirit.
3   Commit your work to the LORD,
    and your plans will be established.
4   The LORD has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5   Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
    be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6   By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
7   When a man’s ways please the LORD,
    he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8   Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
9   The heart of man plans his way,
    but the LORD establishes his steps.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

For information on how the ESV can be quoted, please visit our permission site.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 16:3

Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.

Planning out a course to achieve a goal or to get somewhere in life can be good and necessary. We frequently make plans, whether big or small. Our hearts form our plans. We may believe that our motives and ways are pure (2a). But we must also know and accept that God is sovereign over all our human plans. He knows our hearts and motivations better than ourselves. We must guard our hearts against pride (5). In the end, the outcome of our plans belongs to God.

Therefore, whatever we plan to do, we are encouraged to commit it to the LORD. The LORD is the one who establishes our plans and steps (3,9). This does not mean that the result will always be what we had originally planned or hoped. It means that we conform our plans and thoughts to God’s plans and God’s will. Our faith is in God, not our plans. Our faith is that the LORD works out everything to its proper end (4a). We trust that God works for the good of those who love him (Ro 8:28).

Will you invite God into your plans and seek his will? Will you, as a first priority, delight in the LORD and commit your plans to him? Then God will establish your plans and give you the desires of your heart (3, Ps 37:4-6).

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for establishing our plans and steps. Help me to commit my plans to you.

One Word: One Word: Commit to the LORD whatever you do

The Church in Antioch

Acts 11:19-30

Key Verse: 11:26

Today's Question

What is the reason for the fifth commandment?

See answer and references