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Understanding Who Is Directing The Ship
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Proverbs 16:9 In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. (NIV)[/perfectpullquote](BACKGROUND)
Proverbs 16 does not have an overall theme. But it gives suggestions, advice, and warnings to:
- God’s relation to man.
- A king’s leadership attitude (warnings).
- Haughtiness (the appearance of being arrogantly superior and disdainful).
Proverbs 16:9 is the final statement in the thought being presented in verses 1 – 9.
OUTLINE OF VERSES 1 – 9
Watch how King Solomon develops his thought process and communication to us.
- Verses 1-2 Man’s plans are under the control and direction of God.
- Verse 3 Trust in God.
- Verse 4 God has a purpose for everything including the action of the wicked.
- Verse 5 The Lord detests haughtiness.
- Verse 6 Submission to God’s plan provides atonement and includes the fear of God.
- Verse 7 God’s approval of a man is even respected by man’s enemies.
- Verse 8 A little righteousness is better than much gain through injustice.
- Verse 9 Then full circle to verse 1 “Man’s Plans are under the control and direction of God”.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATION
I have heard 2 great illustrations about this context.
1. Picture yourself on a ship sailing on the ocean. You are walking around the ship and doing whatever you choose to do. You are in control of your personal actions on the ship. BUT, you are not in charge of directing the ship. The ship is going in the direction of the ship’s Captain. He guides the ship in the direction that was predetermined by the owner of the ship. You are doing your duties on the ship, while the ship is sailing to its destination. The picture here is that you are doing your duties on this earth while God is directing your course of life.
2. Think of a beautifully quilted blanket. You are looking at the bottom of the blanket where all of the strings are going in different directions. Looks confusing with no set pattern visibly seen. That’s because you are looking at the bottom of the quilted blanket. BUT on the top of the blanket, all of the strings have a formation that makes a beautiful design for the quilted blanket. The picture here is that we as people are looking at life at the bottom of the blanket with all the confusion without a sense of a pattern. And then we often times try to figure out our own pattern for life. But God is looking at the top of the blanket and everything comes together beautifully with everything in order (to His Honor and Glory). He will guide our steps, if we just trust and let Him.
PERSONAL INSIGHT AND REFLECTIONS
I don’t know about you, but there have been times in my life that I have had to make some very important decisions. I knew that the decision that I had to make would affect my family and/or just me for a long time. As a Christian, it is easy to say “Oh, just trust God”. But in real world life, I often want to get in the way of trusting God and just do what I think is the right decision. Not always, but God will often times get my attention (slight 2×4 board across the head) to remind me WHO is really in charge of my family and life decision making. YES Proverbs 16:9, “In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps”.
Thank you GOD!! I wish that I would remember that at every thought and decision of my life.
– Carlton Ringer
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