“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” Proverbs 16: 1
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16: 9
“We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” Proverbs 16: 33
When I read these three verses, they undoubtedly say that the final outcome is up to God. So my question is, “Why should I even bother to make any plans if God holds all the cards?” My Bible Commentary says… ’In doing God’s will there must be a partnership between our efforts and God’s control.’ I wasn’t really satisfied with that answer, so I did a little more research . Let’s look at Proverbs 3: 6, “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you the path to take.” OK, so the word “partnership” means turning every area of our lives to him. Now that’s starting to make sense to me. As I look down at my Bible, verse 3 is highlighted… “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
I’m going to go a little deeper. Again, the commentary starts out by saying… ’In doing God’s will…
God’s will is the key…
“Now this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him.” 1 John 5: 14-15
And the Commentary on this verse tells me, if I am abiding in Christ and living in holy accordance with His commands, we will not be inclined to request something that is out of God’s will. The word “faith” keeps playing over and over in my mind! I get it! ‘In God’s will, there must be a partnership between our efforts and God’s control.’ Does this make sense to you? God absolutely wants us to use our minds, to seek the advice of others, and to plan. Nevertheless, the results are up to Him. Planning, then, helps us act God’s way. As we live for Him, we need to ask Him for guidance as we plan; and then act on our plan as we trust Him.
“Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self- control than to conquer a city.” Proverbs 16: 32
What in the world is Solomon trying to tell us here? That was from the NLT. Here is the same verse from the NKJV… “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Solomon touches on the subject of anger again. Success in business, school, or home life can be ruined by losing one’s temper. When we have self-control, it really is better than any conquest. It’s a personal victory to control our temper. If we jump ahead to Proverbs 19, verse 11 says, “Sensible people control their temper, they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” ‘They earn respect… Wow. There is no attitude more godly than to forgive or overlook a wrong.
It’s my passion to write about my personal experiences to make you realize that Almighty God is indeed in the intricate details of your life. Mostly I am here to share things I’ve learned so far in my “race of faith” with you. I am here to encourage you, and let you know that there is hope...
Lori you have no idea how often I read you blog and it is echoing a conversation or thought I've been having recently. This one is no exception.
Keep blogging. You have at least one reader, all the way over in Australia, whose life you're making a difference in.
xx
Hi Epiphany. Thank you, my friend, for saying that. I'll probably never physically get to Australia- only God knows that, but we'll meet up with each other in Heaven for sure:) Thanks for the encouragement!
God bless you!
Hello Lori,
It’s a personal victory to control our temper.
I like that statement and because i desire to have more victories i will make sure to practice self control even better than i have in the past… It is one of the fruits of the Spirit afterall.. So Holy Spirit with your help and in your power i know that this can be a victory in my life from this day forth
Thanks for sharing Lori,
that is a cute picture of you and your husband.. you have a very beautiful smile
Good post. Proverbs sure has a lot about anger, doesn't it? I appreciate your use of different versions and how that enhances our understanding. For example, in Prov. 19:11 the NIV says it is to a person's glory to overlook an offense. That is a good rendering. But the NLT adds more depth to it – overlooking an offense earns them respect. I hadn't thought of it like that, and it adds more flavor to the passage, and encourages us to overlook an offense! Good post.
Hi Tamela,
I like that statement as well. You are so right…ONLY with the Holy Spirit's help can anger/self-control be personal victories!
Thanks for the compliment. That's my 'cheese' smile, and Michael makes fun of it! Blessings!
Warren,
Yeah, anger and self-control are focused on alot! I agree, many times when we look at different versions, we get enhancement and understanding of what scripture is actually saying. Thanks for the comment and have a great day! God bless!