COMMIT YOUR PLANS TO THE LORD

Passage: Proverbs 16:1-9

Key verse: 3

NIV

16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(A)

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,(B)
    but motives are weighed(C) by the Lord.(D)

3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.(E)

4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end(F)—
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.(G)

5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart.(H)
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.(I)

6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord(J) evil is avoided.(K)

7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
    he causes their enemies to make peace(L) with them.(M)

8 Better a little with righteousness
    than much gain(N) with injustice.(O)

9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.(P)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but (A)the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 (B)All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord (C)weighs the spirit.[a]
3 (D)Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.
4 (E)The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even (F)the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is (G)an abomination to the Lord;
    (H)be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By (I)steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by (J)the fear of the Lord one (K)turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord,
    (L)he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (M)Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
9 (N)The heart of man plans his way,
    but (O)the Lord establishes his steps.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 16:2 Or spirits
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Commit to the Lord whatever you do (1-3) People make plans, but God gives the ability to carry them out. God weighs our motives: Do we seek his glory or our own benefit? We must seek his will, for he controls history. We must fit our plans into his great purpose for ourselves and for all creation. We must fear God and humbly commit whatever we do to him. Then he leads, guides, blesses, and does far more than we imagine for his glory (Eph 3:2 ,21). 2. The Lord works out everything to its proper end (4-9). The Lord is sovereign over all events and people. He works everything out to its proper end, even the day of disaster (4). The Lord will bring down the proud (5). So, we must humbly depend on his love and faithfulness to take our sins and fear him always, no matter what evil persists (6). Then he will make our enemies make peace with us (7). We learn to be content and trust the Lord in all our ways, for he will surely establish us when we fear him (8-9).

Prayer: Lord, forgive my pride and lack of faith. Help me to commit all my ways to you and trust you will establish me and bless me. Thank you for your love and faithfulness.

One Word: Commit to the Lord whatever you do