Proverbs 19:21 - Plans of Man or God?
Proverbs 19:21: Plans of Man or God?
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Prov 19:21 (KJV) There are many devices in a man's heart;
nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Prov 19:21 (NIV) Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is
the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Prov 19:21 (NLT) You can make many plans, but the Lord's
purpose will prevail.
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
The Proverbs of Solomon (10:1-22:16)
The major collection attributed to Solomon (10:1-22:16)
On Life and Conduct
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
Psalm 33:10-11 (KJV) The Lord bringeth the counsel of the
heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
[11] The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his
heart to all generations.
Prov 16:1 (NCV) People may make plans in their minds, but only
the LORD can make them come true.
Prov 16:9 (NIV) In his heart a man plans his course, but the
LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 21:1 (KJV) The king's heart is in the hand of the
Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Proverbs 21:30 (KJV) There is no wisdom nor understanding nor
counsel against the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 7:29 (NLT) I discovered that God created people to
be upright, but they have each turned to follow their own downward
path."
Isaiah 14:24 (KJV) The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely
as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have
purposed, so shall it stand:
Isaiah 46:10 (KJV) Declaring the end from the beginning, and
from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My
counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Daniel 4:35 (KJV) And all the inhabitants of the earth are
reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of
heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his
hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Hebrews 13:8 (KJV) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day,
and for ever.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
The person who refuses to follow "the Lord's counsel" as it is
found in Scripture pursues foolishness (cf. Deut. 32:28, 29). The
Bible is full of clear directions from God concerning practical
Christian living, and Jesus in His life applied those principles perfectly
to give us an example (1 Pet. 2:21). God's counsel is immutable
(Heb. 6:17), faithful (Isa. 25:1), wonderful (Isa. 9:6; 28:29), great
(Jer. 32:19), sovereign (Dan. 4:35), and eternal (Eph. 3:11)... Godly
counsel is built upon the foundational premise that there is an infinite
and personal God who has revealed Himself through His written word,
the Bible, and through the living Word, Jesus Christ. Godly counsel
is not man-centered (i.e., doing things one's own way, controlling
one's behavior by his own feelings or thoughts) but rather is
God-centered (i.e., going God's way regardless of what one wants or thinks).
[Believer's SB]
A wise person commits his or her plans to the Lord (see 16:3). A
person whose plans oppose the Lord (as in Ps. 2:1-3) may actually
become God's enemy. But the person whose ways are from God will
certainly succeed (see also 16:1, 9). [Nelson SB]
Let no one overtax his God-given powers in an effort to advance
the Lord's work more rapidly. The power of man cannot hasten the
work; with this must be united the power of heavenly intelligences.
Only thus can the work of God be brought to perfection. Man cannot do
God's part of the work. A Paul may plant, and an Apollos water, but
God gives the increase. In simplicity and meekness man is to
co-operate with divine agencies, at all times doing his best, yet ever
realizing that God is the great Master Workman.... Then let our zeal in
labor be tempered with reason; let us cease our efforts to do that
which the Lord alone can accomplish. {7T 298.2}
Sinful men and fallen angels may devise countless schemes to
prevent the Lord from carrying out His eternal purposes; nevertheless
the counsels of God will be accomplished and the universe eventually
cleansed from both sin and sinners. God expects His servants to submit
their plans to His overruling providence. [SDA Commentary]
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