The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes His steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Relevant Scriptures
Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.
Proverbs 20:24
Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?
Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps
Select Commentary
“Man proposes, God disposes”
We all remember Shakespeare’s words in ‘Hamlet’ –
“There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will.”
Gill: A man’s heart deviseth his way,…. This is to be understood, not of a wicked man, in whose heart is frowardness, and who devises mischief and evil imaginations continually, Proverbs 6:14; for such are an abomination to the Lord; nor will he direct their goings, or prosper and succeed them in their ways: but of a good man, or righteous man.
Henry: If men make God’s glory their end, and His will their rule, He will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace.
My pondering
If find this little sentence enthralling because it succinctly displays the free will of man which exists but limited and directed by a sovereign God, if we are so fortunate to be intimately led rather and coarsely rebuked.
It reminds me of James 4:
13Come 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”— 14yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Yes, if the Lord wills.
My prayer
Holy Lord, guide me where You see fit and give me Your GPS for I know, often in spite of myself, Your way is best and true.