Message: The Lord's Established Purpose
Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.
What the Lord is Saying:
Here in this simple Proverb is a powerful message.
1. Man makes many plans - Many plans are in a man's heart. This is apparent that man is constantly believing and thinking that he is in control of his outcomes and the matters of this world. Man wants to believe over and over that he can will God to change and that man's will and knowledge of events is the greatest. The overriding reason the atheist cannot believe in God is because man does not want to believe that God is in control of all things.
I notice that man often thinks that when his/her plans don't bear good outcomes, then God comes in and saves the day. We feel that after we have done everything we can do, then God takes us home. Once again, we tend to believe our ultimate good is what is most important.
JC Philpot in Riches states -
The plans of our heart are generally to find some easy, smooth, flowery path. There is always a secret planning in a man's heart—to escape the cross, to avoid affliction, and to walk in some flowery meadow, away from the rough road which cuts his feet, and wearies his limbs.
Another "plan in a man's heart" is, that he shall have worldly prosperity—that his children shall grow up around him, and when they grow up, he shall be able to provide for them in a way which shall be best suited to their station in life—that they shall enjoy health and strength and success—and that there shall not be any cutting affliction in his family, or fiery trial to pass through.
The purposes of God's heart are purposes of love and affection toward you, and therefore you may bless and praise God, that whatever be the plans of your hearts against God's counsel, they shall be frustrated, that He may do His will and fulfill all His good pleasure.
This is so true, we want the easy path and we want worldly prosperity. We really want "my will be done."
2. The counsel of the Lord will stand.
The real truth is the Lord's purposes prevail. The way of the Lord is the firm foundation in our lives. It is possible that dire circumstances is exactly what we need. Reminder, Paul went to prison. Reminder, Jesus went to the cross. Sometimes God has to get our attention to remind us of this truth and the only way he does it is to shake up our world.
This is such a hard truth because we have become so good at being successful people with no wants or needs. We have become so good at making money and doing things in such a way that we have so few wants or needs. Generally, what upsets our world is illness or diseases. We have walked through life getting what we want, but then something happens that is an unknown and it sends us to God to ask for help. And yet, God wants to show us that asking Him for help is where we need to be all the time.
To say God is sovereign is to say that the will of God is to be accomplished in every circumstance. As TableTalk states
Although we may make many and varied plans, these plans will only come to fruition if they reflect our Creator's purpose.Do I really think God is given me that bonus at work so that I can get a new car? Or is he giving me more so that I can help others more? He charges me to help the needy so this should be my mindset at all times.
Promise: All God's purposes, which are sure and right, will be accomplished in due time.
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