The Proverbial Journey 16
Ever have plans fall through? Things just did not go the way you had envisioned them. Have you ever said or felt, “God I was doing this for you!” or “I was sure I heard from God.”? There is some great wisdom in this chapter relating to God’s plans and our envisioned results.
2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Often, as believers, we make our plans and we say to ourselves, “This is God’s will”. However, we do forget that we are sinful creatures that operate with motives some conscious and some not. Sometimes we have a “neediness” in our lives and our plans, even with good intentions, can be about accommodating our need more than being about a “mission from God”. That’s why the book of Proverbs tells us a ton about seeking advice so that we can avoid getting into a mess. Now for the good news:
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Two things here, First, if we commit WHATEVER we do to the Lord, things are going to succeed (work out according to God’s plans) – more on this in a second. Second, God has a master plan and it IS going to happen. He is coming back, He is redeeming His bride, and she’ll will be spotless!
Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all to the glory of God.”
If we commit whatever we do . . . This is predicated upon the motivation of the heart (Vs 2). It’s based upon our relationship with God that produces as desire for God to receive the glory. It’s about God’s desires becoming our desires. When we are in right relationship with God (righteousness) then we begin to live our lives based upon the work Jesus has done for us on the cross (which we could not do for ourselves) and our “plans” and desires reflect that.
Look at these verses from Psalm 37 which lay out the promises given to those who are in right relationship with God. He is working things out for our good and His glory!
23The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the LORD upholds his hand.
25I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.
27 Turn away from evil and do good;
so shall you dwell forever.
28For the LORD loves justice;
he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29The righteous shall inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever.
So we need to do all we do for Him. Even when the things we plan turn out differently than we want, we need to look to God and understand His promises. Even our failures become opportunities to grow in our faith when placed in God’s hands. I’ve mentioned this before, but a pastor friend of mine says:
“The steps of the righteous are ordered by God, but if you don’t step God’s got nothing to order”
Today set your direction towards Jesus and plan that way. Trust God to do as He promises and live with the encouragement that He is going to receive the glory!
So how are you planning?
the HIGHER PLACE blog 
I love what you chose to point out Scott! I’m amazed in my life how things don’t seem to turn out the way I think is best. Especially at the time that they happen.
But when I look back on those things I wanted them only for myself and not for the Lords glory. The things in our lives that we do with a heart to please him always turn out better for us and to his glory. In vs.9 it says “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” If our hearts are always seeking or Fathers will for our lives, those steps won’t be so hard to take!
danny, i love your last sentence. if we continue to seek after the Father just like Jesus did our motives will become His motives and everything we do, every word we speak and every action we take will not be out of our “neediness”, as Pastor Scott said in the post, but it will be as if it came straight from the heart of the Father.