Reading the Word

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

Understanding and Applying the Word

We all make plans. We are even told that we should think about the future and plan for it in places like Luke 14:25-33. Wisdom tells us to plan ahead. However, as we make our plans, we must not forget that it is ultimately God who determines the outcome. We must not think we can rely on our own strength and understanding, but we must always look to the Lord and trust in him. Consider our proverb for today and the verses below:

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13–16, ESV)

Lord, we thank you for holding our futures in your hands and we trust in your plans. Amen.

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