MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES

Proverbs 16.9,33
MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." (v16.9)

MANY OF THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON MAY sound like mere good, human common sense. Indeed they are. They are gems of wisdom mined from down-to-earth observations of life. But they are not merely wise from a human point of view. If we miss the divine perspective of Proverbs, we would have miss the heart of the book.

All the actions of man are contingent on the action of God. All the plans of man are dependent upon the plan of God. All the wisdom of man is foolishness apart from the wisdom of God. Proverbs hammers home this thought: "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases" (21 .1). "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails" (19.21). In our words today, we put it thus, "Man proposes, God disposes."

Foolish is the man who plans as if he is the master of all circumstances. He is not. Of course, this does not mean that we should therefore cease from all planning, fold our hands and let things run their courses "according to the will of God." That would be fatalism, not theism. We believe in a God who has given us a mind to think and plan. At the same time, we recognise that we do not always think according to God's thoughts, or plan according to His will.

Therefore we make plans for ourselves, always with an eye on God's plan for us. The reason is simple: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth" (27.1). Nothing humbles a man of power and influence more than when he is appointed to organise a big outdoor function. I have known of agnostics praying for divine aid in such a situation — for no matter how well they plan, they are at the mercy of foul weather which can wash out their best programmes. Well, no one has yet devised a way of making the sun shine when God chooses it to rain.

In all our projections and schemes for our future, however humble or grandiose, let us remember, "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory rests with the LORD" (21.31). We do our best to make the horse ready, but whether we will win the battle — that we leave to the LORD.

Do I plan with God's plan in mind?