1 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.

4-5 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.  Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one  turns away from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. 9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord  establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:1-9 English Standard Version

If you are a much older person you may recall a time when it was quite common to hear someone say 'God willing'. It's more rare these days and younger readers of these devotions may've never heard it said at all. Can you see why vs 1, 2 and 9 made me think of that phrase?

They all suggest that things might not always turn out the way we planned or intended. It may be because we sometimes didn't get the answer we were expecting (vs 1). It may sometimes be due to wrong motives on our part in the first place. (vs 2) And, sometimes, it may be because we actually ended up with something better! (vs 9) (Though that verse is probably linked to vs 3 which we will come to.) But what was the common thread of those verses?

We see that the Lord was involved! God either prevented or developed what we had set out to do. The New Testament writer James put it this way: “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? 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.'” (James 4:13-15) Those are not magic words that will make all our plans work out; they are words which show we are not arrogant, but humble enough to acknowledge that our days and plans are in God's hands.

There is a great comfort in knowing that our lives are in God's hands! Can you see why in vs 4-5 and 7?

Sometimes our plans may be hindered by someone who is behaving badly, even wickedly. Yet the writer of Proverbs says even such people are serving God's ultimate purpose. (Remember how true that was when Jesus was crucified!) God will eventually deal with wicked people. Not only that, there are times when God even changes the minds of the wicked so that they don't interfere with us or harm us. Many missionaries can tell how that happened when they faced potential danger as they took the gospel to warlike tribes.

What other advice and comfort do vs 6 and 8 give for getting through life's setbacks when what we hope for doesn't work out?

We have a forgiving God. When we fear Him and turn away from evil He is someone who forgives us for times when we did go the wrong way because of wrong motives. And, if we are content with less in life because we want God's righteousness more than the things of the world, He brings His peace and joy to our heart. So the key verse for me in today's section is verse 3.

We should do that every day with regard to our work and ambitions, our homes, and even things we want to do to spread the gospel. Lord, not my will, but your will be done in and through my life – for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.