My Purpose or God's Purpose

Proverbs 16 is all about the purposes of the Lord. And in this chapter we find tremendous insight into His purposes and how we often fail to regard His sovereignty over our feelings. 

Many Christians want to examine their purpose but few want to examine how often their own hearts are misaligned from God's ultimate purpose for them. 

Proverbs 16:1–3 (ESV) The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. 3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Three thoughts the chapter opens with. 

First, the Lord controls the speech of men. We can make the attempt to direct our lives according to a certain plan but we all need many people to give us the affirmation in order to get anywhere. We need the job to be offered, the proposal to be accepted, and the child to listen to what we say. But God ultimately has charge over all the responses people have to our intended aims. 

Second, we might think we are right but the Lord is the only one who truly knows. He weighs our spirits. He understands the truest motives deep down that even we may miss. 
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:25 (ESV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Third, when we give all our effort to God, the plans we make will be established. In other words, when we lay down what we expect and just put our hands to work and give the results to God, THEN we can expect movement in a clear and positive (established) direction. 

Proverbs 16:4 (ESV) The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

This verse is quite humbling. For even the wicked have a purpose to God. So what are we to make of it? We should consider ourselves ultimately the tool of God's hand. Our lives do not earn better purposes, they fulfill the purposes God intends. 

That is not to say we are fatalist. No, we have an obligation to respond to life in a Godly manner, trusting His Word over man's (or even our own) thoughts. 

So we look at some important demands on us.
Proverbs 16:7 (ESV) When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
God can bring us peace when we prioritize pleasing Him. 

Proverbs 16:17 (ESV) The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
If we live in line with God, our lives are strengthened by His power and grace. 

Proverbs 16:32 (ESV) Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Ultimately, trusting God with our future is the best way to calm. We can know He's working things out for us according to His ultimate purpose and that should bring us peace. 



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