Proverbs 19:17-29: a reflection

17He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him. 18Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death. 19A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again. 20Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end. 21There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail. 22That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. 23The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble. 24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. 27If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity. 29Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Among these proverbs is one that quietly puts our plans in their place: Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that will stand. We make our plans, many of them, turning them over in our hearts, arranging our lives as we intend; but over all our planning stands the purpose of the LORD, which is what will finally come to pass. Our plans are real, but they are not the last word; God's purpose is.

Notice the balance the proverb strikes. It does not forbid us to make plans; the many plans in a person's heart are simply acknowledged as part of life. But it reminds us that our plans are not sovereign; above them stands the LORD's purpose, which will stand whatever we intend. We plan, and rightly; but we are not the final arbiters of what will be. God's purpose governs the outcome, and it, not our planning, will prevail.

That is a truth to hold with humility as we make our plans. We are right to plan, to think ahead, to set our intentions; but we are wrong to plan as though our purposes were sovereign, as though what we intend must surely come to pass. Over all our planning stands God's purpose, wiser than ours, which will finally stand. Make your plans, then, but hold them humbly, submitting them to God, ready for him to redirect them according to his wiser purpose. Do not grip your plans as though they were certain to prevail; the LORD's purpose is what will stand. Plan, but say with your heart, if the Lord wills; and trust that his purpose, over and above your plans, is good, and will prevail for your good and his glory.

Lord, your word says that many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is your purpose that will stand. Teach me to hold that with humility as I make my plans. I am right to plan, to think ahead, to set my intentions; but I am wrong to plan as though my purposes were sovereign, as though what I intend must surely come to pass. Over all my planning stands your purpose, wiser than mine, which will finally stand. Help me make my plans, but hold them humbly, submitting them to you, ready for you to redirect them according to your wiser purpose. Keep me from gripping my plans as though they were certain to prevail; your purpose is what will stand. Help me plan, but say with my heart, if the Lord wills; and trust that your purpose, over and above my plans, is good, and will prevail for my good and your glory. I submit my plans to you, Lord; let your purpose stand.