The Wednesday Word 3.02.2022

 

Proverbs 16: 1-4, 7-9 New Living Translation

 

16:1 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

 

7 When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.

8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.

9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

 

I grew up hearing the phrase immortalized by the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns, that we translate as “the greatest schemes of mice and men often go awry.” John Steinbeck drew from the poem to name one of his most famous works. Literary references just reinforce our experience of these Proverbs. We think that if we craft our plans carefully and prepare in detail, they cannot fail. The truth of the matter is that if they are not pleasing to God or move his ultimate will forward, they don’t stand much of a chance.

 

A plan is a blueprint for some aspect of the future. However, you and I are not meant to be in control of the future, it is just that simple. Only God can be in control. That does not mean we can laze about and aimlessly drift. What it means for the follower of Christ is that our plans must begin in earnest prayer. Our plans must be thoughtfully weighed against what we know to be in keeping with scripture and with our faith. We have to some way discern the path God wants us to follow, and what steps he wants us to take. “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” You can move forward in hope, knowing that God will be with you, regardless of the outcome…something to pray about.

 

Don’t forget to look for the Lord today. Vicki H.


                                                                                                       photo by Sven Mieke

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