GOD'S PURPOSES EXCEED YOUR PLANS

November 3, 2017

GOD'S PURPOSES EXCEED YOUR PLANS

Proverbs 19:15-29

Attalie Morgan

Central Truth

God’s plan for your life is better than you can imagine. He wants us to glorify Him in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). That includes surrendering our lives to Him no matter the circumstances we may encounter.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
(Proverbs 19:21)

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
    and an idle person will suffer hunger.
16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
    he who despises his ways will die.
17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,
    and he will repay him for his deed.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
    do not set your heart on putting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
    for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom in the future.
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
    and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life,
    and whoever has it rests satisfied;
    he will not be visited by harm.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
    reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
    is a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
    and beating for the backs of fools.

This chapter provides many examples of God's ways being far better than our own. Do you think your plan is the best? Do you follow it so stubbornly that it leads to heartache and pain? Are you like Jonah who ran from the Lord’s plan and was swallowed by a whale? He then surrendered his plan to God, and the Lord’s plan prevailed.

I urge you to stop right now. Pray for God to reveal any areas of your life that you are holding back from Him and trying to control yourself. Seek Him and fully surrender your life to Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

In verses 20 and 27, the author instructs us that it is in our best interest to listen to wise counsel and accept discipline. Are you allowing other believers to speak into your life? Do you heed their advice? How can you give/receive feedback that may be difficult to hear?

Verse 21 has been a powerful verse for me. I had a plan for my life. I tried to make those plans succeed apart from God when life didn’t happen how I planned. I learned that my way only brought despair and sorrow. God's plans are far better than my own. Although life may not be exactly how I pictured it to be, I stand firm knowing that God's ways are higher than my ways. He reminds us in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” When I have days that I wish . . . (insert any number of desires), I can trust that He has me exactly where He wants me. I encourage you to surrender your plans to the Lord. Ask Him to reveal His plans for your life to you.

1. Do you trust God? If not, what is keeping you from trusting Him?

2. Do you believe His plan is better than your own?

3. What in your life do you try to control?

4. What life plans will you surrender to God today?