We’ve looked at how godly wisdom guides our paths, provides insight, and affects our relationships with others. If this walk through Proverbs reveals anything, it should be that, in all things, we should strive to bring glory to God. This includes our plans.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. (Proverbs 16:1-6 ESV)
My plans, God’s will
“I’ve got plans.” How many times have we said or heard that phrase? As a nation, New Year’s Day is a clear example that men and women are making plans. They might be to clean out a closet, lose weight, spend more time with family, or commiting to a daily quiet time or step up church attendance. Whatever the goal, we’ve got them. Been there done that.
The first verse of this proverb tells us the source of our plans—the heart. We think, mull over, ponder outcomes before voicing a specific goal. Why am I choosing to do this? What will I gain from doing it? How will it affect me or others? Is the cost worth the effort? Whether we write them on paper or keep them to ourselves, we do think before we act, though it often doesn’t seem like it.
Two things are made clear in this passage:
- When we voice a plan and move to carry it out, the Lord is allowing it to happen.
- And, He weighs the spirit behind the plan.
God sees the underlying motivations of our plans. Good as they may be, He weighs not the plans but the spirit behind them. Am I doing this for my own glory or for the Lord to be glorified?
Commit your work to the Lord
I was recently reminded of the first question of the Westminster Catechism: “What is the chief end of man?” “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” Proverbs points us to this, especially as we consider making plans. By committing our work to the Lord, we are offering up our plans to Him. One way to pray as we ponder is this: “Lord, I want to glorify you. Take these plans and enable me to carry them out only if you will receive the glory. Otherwise, show me a better way to honor you.”
With this open-handed willingness to allow Him to work, our plans will be established.
- I give to God my plans.
- I give to God the work required to carry them out.
- I give to God the results, once the work is complete.
Remain committed to God
The next two verses remind us that those who refuse to commit their plans to God and reject His rule will face certain punishment. Yet, the person who fears the Lord turns away from evil.
Through the hesed love of Christ and His faithful obedience to the will of the Father, He has paid the price for my sin. My response is to acknowledge and fear Him. In my fear and reverence for all Christ has done and for the Father’s sacrifice on my behalf, I shun evil. I want no part of it.
Christ is the perfect example of One whose plans were in complete unity with that of the Father. His total commitment to the Father led to the perfect completion of our atonement via the cross and resurrection. He is our model when it comes to plans that glorify God. May we commit all our ways to the Lord and allow Him to guide our path and establish our plans.
Grace and Peace
If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start this Walking in Wisdom series from the beginning.
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