Morning Devotion - Prov. 16

Read Proverbs 16

I remember being first impressed by this chapter when I was working in Strategic Planning for a corporation. There is much here on the topic of the plans of man... and on the plans of God.

v. 27: "A worthless man plots evil..." Not all planning is good. Some people are scheming plotters, who seek only themselves and end up working their own destruction through their schemes. Does this mean that all planning is evil? Of course not...

v. 3: "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." This means that the righteous man has a plan - not an evil scheme, but a plan for good.

Some people have more power to establish their plans, power given to them by God. The chapter reflects upon this with several verses about the seemingly absolute power that kings possess. Yet the ultimate power of a plan is in the hands of the Master Planner.

v. 4: "The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble." Christ, the Good Man, came according to the express plan and foreknowledge of God, and "by (His) steadfast love and faithfulness (our) iniquity is atoned for." (v. 6)

Now, in response to His great works, (more v.6) "by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil." May you make good plans in light of the perfect plan of the King of kings. v.9 "The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

The Point: God by His decrees rules all things for great good. In this confidence the righteous man plans and acts.