To man belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. (Prov. 16:1)
Hello Friends and Fellow Travelers,
Has this ever happened to you? You plan a speech, a sermon, an interaction with someone; you play it out in your mind; maybe you rehearse it several times. Then the moment comes to deliver what you think you really have to and want to say, and it comes out of your mouth, and you wonder where all these words are coming from cause that was not what you planned to say? You were going to let that person have it! And miraculously your words are filled with grace and love; and it was like a force beyond yourself just spoke through you! And that voice that came out of you did a much better job then you could have ever done. This happens more than we care to admit. God is absolutely sovereign! How sovereign you ask? Sovereign enough to change the words of a wayward prophet who wanted to curse Israel, but when he opened his mouth, he blessed Israel (Numbers 23). God is sovereign enough to prophecy through the High Priest Caiaphas, about the purpose of Jesus’ death (John 11:49-51). God is sovereign enough to stop the plans of the people of Babel from building a tower (Genesis 11:4-8). People can plan to do or say something, but God can change the outcome. Now that is Sovereignty! Actually, the Bible is the record of God speaking through human agents, many of which had no clue what they were saying (Hebrews 1:1; 2Peter 1:20). I like the way The Message states Proverbs 16:1 – “Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.” God is sovereign!
When you read through Proverbs 16, you will see how involved God wants to be and can be in your daily living, especially if you invite Him in to be part of your plans and ways. “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives” (16:2 NLT) Ever ask God to check your heart before you make a decision to do something, just to make sure your heart is in the right place? It will save us a ton of grief! Here is the benefit of going to the Lord before you follow thru on your own agenda: “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (16:3). Look at this amazing promise!!! “When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him” (16:7) Success and peace for letting the Lord lead you! What more could a person desire? - “When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.” (The Message)
Look again at how sovereign God is: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (16:9) - “We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it” (The Message). God makes us able! I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! (Phil. 4:13). “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20) God is able, in His sovereignty to direct the issues of our life for His purposes. If you are a child of God through faith in Christ, then you belong to God. He chose you for His glory and purpose. You’re His vessel for His use and He is able to accomplish His purposes through you. Even if you randomly “roll the dice” or “cast the lots” to make a decision, God is able to oversee that! We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall (Prov.16:33 NLT– see Acts 1:26)
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative] (16:10 AMP). God is able to give a person the ability to make a difficult decision, as He did to Solomon (1Kings 3:16-28)…”When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.”
If God is able to supernaturally accomplish His will with those who aren’t even thinking of doing His will, how much more can He do awesome things through those who are yielded to Him, and allow Him to lead their lives? There are 2 ways we can facilitate God’s working in our life. One way is to seek His wisdom and understanding rather than riches (16:16). This way, by Holy Spirit, we will do and speak more of what He wants. A second way is to be led by the Word of God: He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good, And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD (16:20 AMP).
Be aware that God wants to live His life through you! Realize that you are the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus, to put Him on display to the world. You are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do (Eph. 2:10) - that's sovereignty! Let God use you, work and speak through you! Then you'll really be living the Life He wants for you.
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