# 11 2016 Devotional Pr. 16:9. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Pr. 16:9
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps”
Proverbs are a series of short concise statements about God’s will for man kind and the results of human behavior both good and bad. The English word, proverbs, does not convey the meaning of the Hebrew word which includes: byword, discourse, parable, parables, proverb, proverbs, taunt, taunt-song (Strong’s Concordance 4912). The bottom line according to the purpose and theme of the book, Pr.1:7 is: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline”.
The verse we are looking at is part of a lager section that revolves around the plans, the motivations and actions of men but God is in control. Is that what this proverb is about, God’s sovereignty? Yes, I believe this to be a problem with many contemporary interpretations of God’s Word. God is understood as reactive to man’s actions and to the events in today’s world. That is a popular and comfortable position as opposed to God having complete sovereignty in the universe. It is further complicated with man’s free will.
How do we come to grips with the horrendous events we see in the world today? Do we blame God, His sovereignty? Or do we blame man, free will? Neither, Satan is responsible for all the misery in this world, all wars and diseases. However, our choices have ramifications and we are held responsible for the choices we make. Our choices are made in the context of God’s allowable will, God does not exercise his complete sovereignty in every situation in our lives or in this world. How God’s will and our free will work together is more of a mystery than it is understood by us His creatures. See Ro. 9:14, Paul asks if God is unjust? God’s answer: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion”. (See also, Questions)
How then shall we understand Pr. 16: 9? (1) Our plans must be made in the context of God’s will. (2) God’s Word must direct our plans. (3) God allows all things and events according to His eternal will, for His glory and for the advance of His Kingdom including the church. Praise be to God!
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