Proverbs 20:24 - Paradox of God's Sovereignty and Human Free Will.
Proverbs 20:24 (NKJV) A man's steps are of
the LORD; How then can a man understand his own
way?
Proverbs 20:24 (NIV) A person's steps are
directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand
their own way?
INTRODUCTION
We are often confused by the events around
us. Some things we will never understand until
years later when we look back and see how God was
working. This proverb counsels us to not worry if we
dont understand everything as it happens.
Instead, we should trust that God knows what hes
doing, even if his timing or design is not clear to
us. See Psalm 37:23 for a reassuring promise of
Gods direction in your life. [Life Application
SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
So much of our lives remain a mystery to
us. Our futures unfold as we take each step. We
may know the direction we are heading, but we
don't know the twists and turns that will occur
along the way. We cannot foresee every challenge
that will meet us nor the unexpected joys we will
experience.
With that in mind, it is a comfort to
know the Lord sees the end from the beginning and
every space in-between. He already knows what lies
ahead of us, and we can trust him to guide us
along every hill and through every valley. The God
who knows how many hairs are on each of our
heads will not forget about us. May we humble
ourselves in sweet surrender, trusting that the Lord
who created us will lead us with love!
Surrender your worries about the future
to the Lord and ask him for vision and help for
today. [365 Days of Courage by Sara Perry of
Broadstreet Pub]
COMMENTARY
This verse emphasizes the mystery of divine
sovereignty (see Ps. 37:23; Jer. 10:23). A person makes
his own decisions and is responsible for them,
but paradoxically God directs the steps of each.
This paradox demonstrates the limitations of
human discernment. [ESV SB 2008]
Since a man cannot comprehend the unfolding
purposes of Gods providence in his life, he has to
walk in faith. [MacArthur SB]
Gods role in guiding our steps is clear
(see 16:1, 9, 33). We do not need to understand
why things happen, but we should not lose hope,
for God is in control. [NLT SB 2008]
Step by Step
God is in control of all circumstances
that surround my life. Sometimes we may feel we
understand these circumstances, but at other times we
don't have a clue why certain things happen as
they do, and we are mystified. We make our plans.
But God always will have His way.
There's nothing wrong with making a plan
for tomorrow or for next month or next year. But
we must always plan with this proviso: the Lord
may change our plans and take us in a completely
different direction. It is His prerogative to do so;
He, not you, is in control of your life.
Jeremiah 10:23 says, "O LORD, I know the
way of man is not in himself; it is not in man
who walks to direct his own steps." And in the
book of Proverbs, the writer asks the question:
"The LORD directs our steps, so why try to
understand everything along the way?" (Proverbs 20:24,
NLT).
We sometimes call this guiding of our
steps "divine providence." Does that mean, then,
that bad things never will happen to good and
even godly people? No. But it does mean that even
when bad things happen, God can bring good out of
bad, as Romans 8:28 assures us.
All of God's good promises, however,
won't be fully realized until we get to heaven.
There are some things we can look at in life and
say, "That was a really terrible experience, but
now as I look back in retrospect, I can see the
good that has come from it." But then there are
other things we will experience in life that we
never will see good come out of - or at least
"good" as we understand it. It won't be until we
get to the other side and see the Lord
face-to-face that we will understand these things.
Even so, we entrust our lives to His good
hands and His great wisdom and praise Him for
directing us step by step. [Every Day with Jesus by
Greg Laurie]
ILLUSTRATION
Several years ago, I attended a writers
conference with a book proposal in hand. I showed it to
three editors. One invited me to email it to her.
I did but never received a response. Two
shared it with their publishing committees, who
said, "No, thank you."
I felt disappointed. The book's concept
had lived in my head for months. Had I not
developed it in obedience to the Holy Spirit's
prompting? Or had I just concocted it myself? Perhaps
my book-writing days were over. I filed the
proposal and went on with my life. Every so often the
title came to mind, and I sensed the need to
change it. I toyed with various ideas, but nothing
grabbed me.
Nearly two years later, a friend told me
about caring for a woman battling the last stages
of cancer. As she spoke, a title randomly
popped into my mind: Finding Hope in Crisis. This
one gripped me. I went home, updated the
proposal with renewed enthusiasm, and added the new
title. COVID-19 struck immediately afterward.
My literary agent submitted the proposal
to several publishers. Several weeks later, an
editor expressed interest. She'd acquired a similar
project several months prior, but it had fallen
through. Now she needed a substitute. She said she
wanted to fast-track it and asked how quickly I
could submit the complete manuscript. The
committee approved the proposal the next day, and I
signed a contract a week later.
Now I understood why Jesus allowed the
earlier disappointment. He knew when people would be
most desperate for hope, and He directed my steps
accordingly. Grace Fox
Faith Step: Draw a question mark. Write
today's verse below it. [Mornings With Jesus 2022
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Psalm 37:23, 24 - Walking With The Lord.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240508-0908.html
Proverbs 16:1 (NCV) People may make plans
in their minds, but only the LORD can make them
come true.
Devotional pending.
Proverbs 16:9 - Divine Detours.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210923-0844.html
Proverbs 19:21 - Make Plans According to
Gods Will for His Purpose Will Prevail.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220819-0959.html
Jeremiah 10:23 - The Paradox of God's
Sovereignty and Human Free Will.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141020-0746.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
