The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9
You may have heard the old saying, “man proposes but God disposes.” That encapsulates the truth of today’s verse. In His sovereignty and omniscience, God sees the end of things from their beginnings. He knows the right path for you to walk. Proverbs 3:6 promises that, as you are mindful of Him, God will direct your path. Psalm 37:23 begins, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord.” But the verse doesn’t stop there. It concludes, “When he delights in his way.”
The key to having your steps ordered by the Lord, to have Him be dispositive of your plans, is to acknowledge Him in all your ways (Proverbs 3:6). Since He has given you free will, you are responsible for cultivating the desire to follow His lead and become prepared to do His will. As you submit to His authority, you show yourself ready to conform and change your plans to fit His.
There is a reason for all that God does. Pray for members of Congress and the administration as they plan the future of America with legislation and regulations. Ask the Lord to draw their hearts and minds to Him so that they acknowledge His sovereignty over all things and be willing to adopt the values set out in His Word.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:26-30
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
