Notes on Hope Devotional

Plans and Purpose

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

In January, I began a devotional by Tim and Kathy Keller on the book of Proverbs, “God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life.” In the book's introduction, he says, “If the Bible were a medicine cabinet, Psalms would be the ointment put on inflamed skin to calm and heal it.  Proverbs is more like smelling salts to startle you into alertness.”

The book of Proverbs is filled with short, succinct statements of truth and equations for daily living.

Today’s verse offers a glimpse into our need to control: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart.” We make plans, have plans, and set our agenda and schedules on a plan or “The Plan” that we determine.  (I am looking at my planner next to me as I write this post, filled with plans.) Making plans gives us a sense of control in managing our lives. Having a plan gives us security. Being in control reduces our fear.

When our plans go the way we expect, we are satisfied and happy. We see evidence of being in control. What happens when our plans don’t go the way we hope?

The second half of the verse gives us the answer: “but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Where the word “but” appears, it’s like hitting the brakes hard at a stop sign: Consider where you are and wait before proceeding. 

The Lord is in control. The Lord directs and may reroute us, set up a detour, or interrupt our plans. However, the Lord has a purpose that we are not always able to see. “The Lord’s purpose will prevail” means we can trust, surrender, know, and believe there is a purpose if our plans don’t go as we hoped. We can relinquish control and trust the Lord to show us His purpose in His plans for us. 

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this promise of Your purpose will prevail in our plans.  Help us release control of our plans and trust You in the waiting. Thank you.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.