Plans

 Proverbs 16:9 ESV

 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.


'Those who fail to plan, plan to fail'. Solomon isn't saying here to not bother planning. He's just making an observation that our plans don't necessarily come to fruition.

Plans are often good, but we just have to pencil them in. God may just as well erase our plans as write them with a permanent marker. We shouldn't be so arrogant as to assume that our plans are guaranteed to come to pass.

God's plans are set in stone. Interestingly God doesn't just have one set plan for us. As Jeremiah famously records, '"I know the plans [plural] I have for you", declares the Lord'.

It's the Lord who establishes our steps, not our own ingenuity. All sorts of things can derail our plans. Not a step is taken outside of God's sovereignty.

'Lord, help us to seek after your wisdom as we make our plans. May we submit to your sovereignty in them. Thank you that your plans for us are good. In Jesus' name, amen'.

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