Be careful a’ signs, as some signs is better ‘n others.”
–J.V. James (Fyre)
“For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose.”
–Philippians 2:13 (Phillips)
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PROVERBS 19:21
“Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.” –NASB
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” –ESV
“You can make plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” –NLT
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” –KJV
We live in a time of confusion! There is WOKEism, Cultural Progressivism, CRT, relative truth, and on and on. There is confusion within the ideas of man himself–confusion over gender, rights, territories, politics, ideologies, and on and on. In each of our lives, if we are not careful we can get confused and make ourselves miserable. Sarah Sherstad made the statement, “The busyness of life can numb or blind us to God’s will.” Sad, but true. We get so caught up in our agenda (man’s) and we forget to look to the Lord and focus on His will.
Man sure has made a mess of things. When man attempts to go his own way, do what is right in his own eyes, there can be nothing but chaos, confusion, mayhem, and evil. Man has ideas and will try to explain things and offer solutions, some of which might work for a time, but God gives man the right advice. If common sense, which there is little of these days, is based upon the principles of God’s Word it will work, but if man has a solution it is like putting a bandaid on a tumor. Only God can truly put sense into life.
Let me tell you that no one person, no political party, no ideology, no psychology has the solution. Someone wrote, “A man’s devices change in proportion as his feelings and desires vary; and these are changeable in proportion as he lacks perfection in his moral nature.” Times change–purposes change. Man will attempt to make change and these changes come with two plans: one is without the counsel of God, the other is against the counsel of God. God’s plans cannot be thwarted and He uses all of life’s circumstances towards the accomplishment of His purposes. He works according to the counsel of His own will (Ephesians 1:11) and within the framework that His purpose is unchangeable (Hebrews 6:17) “God’s design is fixed and paramount” (J. Foster) and no demagogue, no dictator, no political party or figure will change it.
Think of what it would be like if God allowed the world to operate without His restraint? Talk about chaos and confusion. It would be impossible to live any kind of normal life (and by the way–that day is coming in the near future when restraint is withdrawn–woe when that day comes). Bob Beasley said, “Only the restraint of God, foiling the devices of people, and working out His own purposes, keeps us from plunging into the abyss.” Fortunately for us as believers we do have a God who is there; One who guides and directs our lives. One who has a plan and a purpose not only for this world, but for each one of us. We rest in Him and in the security of His promises. “God’s counsels are wise and holy, steady and uniform” (Matthew Henry). We would do well to pay attention to them.
Psalm 2 speaks of those who take counsel against the Lord. They want to do things their way and will go to the extreme to mock His Word. The result of this is laughter. Yes, God laughs at those who think they have a better plan. “He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in anger and terrify them in His fury…” (2:4-5, NASB) As Matthew Henry wrote, “All God’s purposes…are right and good, and shall be accomplished in due time.” Hold on to His Word, do not doubt, do not get caught up in the hub-bub of the world and their newfangled ideas. Listen, and get this into your mind and heart. “There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.” (Corrie ten Boom)
———————————-
PROVERBS 19:21
“Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.” –NASB
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” –ESV
“You can make plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” –NLT
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” –KJV
We live in a time of confusion! There is WOKEism, Cultural Progressivism, CRT, relative truth, and on and on. There is confusion within the ideas of man himself–confusion over gender, rights, territories, politics, ideologies, and on and on. In each of our lives, if we are not careful we can get confused and make ourselves miserable. Sarah Sherstad made the statement, “The busyness of life can numb or blind us to God’s will.” Sad, but true. We get so caught up in our agenda (man’s) and we forget to look to the Lord and focus on His will.
Man sure has made a mess of things. When man attempts to go his own way, do what is right in his own eyes, there can be nothing but chaos, confusion, mayhem, and evil. Man has ideas and will try to explain things and offer solutions, some of which might work for a time, but God gives man the right advice. If common sense, which there is little of these days, is based upon the principles of God’s Word it will work, but if man has a solution it is like putting a bandaid on a tumor. Only God can truly put sense into life.
Let me tell you that no one person, no political party, no ideology, no psychology has the solution. Someone wrote, “A man’s devices change in proportion as his feelings and desires vary; and these are changeable in proportion as he lacks perfection in his moral nature.” Times change–purposes change. Man will attempt to make change and these changes come with two plans: one is without the counsel of God, the other is against the counsel of God. God’s plans cannot be thwarted and He uses all of life’s circumstances towards the accomplishment of His purposes. He works according to the counsel of His own will (Ephesians 1:11) and within the framework that His purpose is unchangeable (Hebrews 6:17) “God’s design is fixed and paramount” (J. Foster) and no demagogue, no dictator, no political party or figure will change it.
Think of what it would be like if God allowed the world to operate without His restraint? Talk about chaos and confusion. It would be impossible to live any kind of normal life (and by the way–that day is coming in the near future when restraint is withdrawn–woe when that day comes). Bob Beasley said, “Only the restraint of God, foiling the devices of people, and working out His own purposes, keeps us from plunging into the abyss.” Fortunately for us as believers we do have a God who is there; One who guides and directs our lives. One who has a plan and a purpose not only for this world, but for each one of us. We rest in Him and in the security of His promises. “God’s counsels are wise and holy, steady and uniform” (Matthew Henry). We would do well to pay attention to them.
Psalm 2 speaks of those who take counsel against the Lord. They want to do things their way and will go to the extreme to mock His Word. The result of this is laughter. Yes, God laughs at those who think they have a better plan. “He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in anger and terrify them in His fury…” (2:4-5, NASB) As Matthew Henry wrote, “All God’s purposes…are right and good, and shall be accomplished in due time.” Hold on to His Word, do not doubt, do not get caught up in the hub-bub of the world and their newfangled ideas. Listen, and get this into your mind and heart. “There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.” (Corrie ten Boom)