Proverbs 16:9.New Living Translation.9.We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.We make our bed and sleep in it in the same sense we can make our plans But God chooses the footsteps taken only he knows the full path.5) Proverbs 16:9 The Message Behind the Verse.Let the Lord direct your steps, for your ability to make decisions, however good it may be, is not always aligned to the Will of God. Let us not lose our strength, trust in the Lord, and He will know how to lead us on the way (Jeremiah 29:11).What Does Proverbs 16:9 Mean ?4 min reading – 1288 words.One of the most commonly used passages in biblical studies is Proverbs 16:9. Why ? What is its meaning ? How important is it ?In ancient times, some of the Israelite knowledge was transmitted as sayings and popular sayings for several generations. The only writings were the books of law, attributed to Moses.It is not until the time of David that the first scribes appear and record the events of Israel’s history 🇮🇱.1) WHO WROTE PROVERBS 16:9 ?According to tradition and the introduction of the book (Proverbs 1:1), Jews and Christians attribute it to Solomon, from whom it is said that he obtained so much wisdom (1 Kings 4:30-32) that many centuries later, he became proverbial in Israel.King Solomon is now considered to have written between the first half and three-quarters of the book of Proverbs ✏️.The rest of the book, as well as chapters 30 and 31, is attributed to other authors after the Salomonic period.There are even those who think that Solomon actually collects the proverbs, although it has not been proven.A. PROVERBS 16:9 KING JAMES VERSION.The version reads:.”A man’s heart devised his way: but the LORD directed his steps”.The King James Bible takes its name from King James I of England, who protected a group of Catholic Inquisition scholars to translate the Bible from Latin into English 🇬🇧.It was published in 1611 and has been a reference for modern English-speaking bibles. It was written from the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts and other translations of the time were used for writing, such as the Queen Valera Bible.B. PROVERBS 16:9 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.The New Version says:.”In their hearts these plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”.The New International Version was born of a group of scholars who wish to translate biblical manuscripts into modern English, with multiple revisions and better writings than the King James Bible.The New International Version was initially launched in 1973. The entire Bible was subsequently available in 1979.3) “A MAN´S HEART DEVISED HIS WAY” MEANING.To explain Proverbs 16:9 let’s break it down sentence by sentence:.For many, man is the only one who defines his future and his path 🔮.We think many times that there are several paths, we have a variety of options, and that each of them is good for what we desire (Job 23:13).We live in a society that demands you to decide your way and take the reins of your life.They reduce it to rationalizing life like a calculator. It is not all evil: we were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26).This means that we can think and plan our way 🙂.We own our decisions, for each of them was conceived as a desire in our hearts (1 Corinthians 2:11), from which our lives go (Proverbs 4:23).Some are obsessed with planning their lives (James 4:13) down to the last detail, while others do not give it as much importance and leave it to “luck” 🍀.We become angry when our plans go wrong (Matthew 6:21) and rejoice when unforeseen events benefit us.The evil thing is that because our hearts are deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9), if we do not think well what we desire, we can turn to sin and follow evil ways 😈.The heart always justifies what we desire (Proverbs 27:19), and if it is evil, it inclines the persian mind and to think in such a way that our desires, however evil, may be right.Thus, the mind becomes a factory that assimilates the evil desires of the heart.4) “BUT THE LORD DIRECTED HIS STEPS” MEANING.Reducing my life to a calculator ignores the sovereignty of God, who has the last word (Jeremiah 29:11).As much as we plan or do, see the current reigning chaos, or strive to change something, in the end God’s will will prevail (Isaiah 46:10).It is God who maintains our souls and weighs our hearts (Proverbs 21:2). We can plan, but it is God who leads our steps 👣 (Jeremiah 10:23).If the plan does not match God’s Will, let us not expect it to be fulfilled (Psalm 135:6). We can devise our way under the direction of the heart, even if it’s bad.But no man can escape God’s Sovereignty or devise a different path than God has prepared (Daniel 4:35).Here is the contrast between what we plan and what happens: It is God who determines whether or not it is done (Isaiah 43:13).He wields his own power (Job 42:2) to allow, annul, or promote our ways.I summarize it in one sentence: Man proposes and God disposes (Proverbs 19:21).5) PROVERBS 16:9 THE MESSAGE BEHIND THE VERSE.Even if man has many plans, right or wrong, in the end it is the Will of God that will remain.Many times we blame ourselves for the things we did or stop doing, we find ourselves at crossroads where we need wisdom or advice to decide well, but we do not think whether the result obtained may be aligned to the Will of God, who directs your life and path 🧭.Instead of living stressed or condemning ourselves by having to make a decision, let us open our hearts to Christ, entrust our way to Him, and wait for His answer, for He will know how to lead us 🙏🏻 (Romans 8:28).Let the Lord direct your steps, for your ability to make decisions, however good it may be, is not always aligned to the Will of God. Let us not lose our strength, trust in the Lord, and He will know how to lead us on the way (Jeremiah 29:11). The key is to trust the Lord completely ❤️(Proverbs 3:5-6).What Does Proverbs 16:9 Mean? ►.The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.Proverbs 16:9(NASB).There are many lessons that God’s people have to learn and often it takes a lifetime to pass the different tests the Lord sets for each one of us. The book of Proverbs is filled with examples of both godly living, (behaviour we should seek to emulate), and unwise actions, (things we should eschew and avoid.).There are many biblical principles to follow in this book of instructions, and many wise practices to develop. As we journey through life we should earnestly seek to develop these behaviours and attitudes, as we grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus. One such concept to embrace with understanding is, “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” We may make future plans and purpose in our heart how to achieve our desired goals, but God is the one who directs our path. He is the One Who establishes the steps we take.Making plans for the future is wise and prudent. The Lord designed us with minds to think. He gave us a free-will to make wise choices in life. The Bible advises virtuous living and prudent planning for we read, “those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness” and, “plans are made by seeking wise and godly advice from others.”.Paul was a man who often spoke of his plans to visit certain Churches and wrote of goals he wanted to achieve, but Scripture shows that although Paul made many good travel plans and purposed in his heart to visit certain Churches, not all were accomplished, for the Lord was the one that directed his path.On one occasion we read that Paul’s plans were rearranged by the Holy Spirit of God when he received a call from the Lord to forgo his own pre-developed arrangements, and go instead to Macedonia. Paul’s plans were worthy and worthwhile, but God had ordained that he should change them and go and share the gospel with the people elsewhere.Often the plans we make are deficient and nearsighted, but God in His grace often brings us to our desired destination in a very different way. Sometimes the goals we set are too limited or too limiting, but God will bring us to a place of fulfilment that we could not have thought possible.Sometimes the plans we make may be good and honourable, but God knows the end from the beginning and may take us to a different destination with a different expected outcome. But if we are living by faith and trusting His guidance, He will bring us to the place that He knows is best – not only in this world but in the eternal ages to come.If we are prepared to die to self, live for Him and cry, “not my will but Yours be done”, we may be sure that whatever plans we make, the Lord will direct our steps and guide us in the best way to go. James pointed out the folly of setting our future plans in stone by making arrogant claims about what we will do in the future – rather we should express our future plans by saying, “If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that.”.However carefully we consider our plans, we have a very limited view of the future. We do not know what will happen in the coming weeks and months. Indeed, we have no control over any of our tomorrows. But our times are in His hands, and because God can see the end from the beginning, we should be ready to bathe every plan we make in prayer and place each desire of our heart into His safe-keeping.God not only knows the future, but holds the future in His hands. How wise, therefore, to use our rational thought and God-given free-will to plan wisely, to the best of our ability, while recognising that while God may permit our plan to move forward, He may overrule it or even advance it further. But what a comfort to know that while we have the freedom to make our plans, the Lord will direct our feet into the way that is best for us.May we embrace this statement of fact as a promise of God to each one of us and rejoice that, “the mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”.Source: https://dailyverse. knowing-jesus. com/proverbs-16-9.Source: https://dailyverse. knowing-jesus. com/proverbs-16-9.Proverbs 16:9 Meaning of God Directs Our Steps.Dec 4, 2019 by Editor in Chief.Proverbs 16:9“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”.Explanation and Commentary on Proverbs 16:9.It is commonly thought among humans that if one wants to be somebody, he or she must find something to accomplish. Most people will do this by looking around the world to see who and what others most admire, then set their hearts on becoming that, or accomplishing it. The hope is that once they’ve achieved this victory, they will be somebody, be happy, or even earn some kind of salvation.Even those who do not have the self-discipline and drive to go after their dreams spend their time wishing and dreaming, even if it takes the form of condemnation for their failures.This is the way of the world. It will lead to either achieving the goals and being left with pride, or worse, emptiness upon finding that the goal was not worthy. Alternatively, it will lead to failure and condemnation, feeling low and full of self-pity. To understand that the Lord establishes his or her steps will set a person free from this cycle. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and the Lord, who establishes your steps, will add all things to you.Breaking Down the Key Parts of Proverbs 16:9.#1 “In their hearts…”In most places where the heart is mentioned in Scripture, it is not looked upon kindly. Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it” (Jer 17:9)? Mark 7:21-22 says, “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.” Just follow your heart may work for Disney, but it is terrible advice for the believer.#2 “…humans plan their course,”It is right to plan to a certain extent; what is for dinner tonight? When will I finish my work? But the kind of planning that is not good is the arrogant kind that desires its own way and has expectations for how things are going to go. This is essentially taking on God’s job. James 4:13-17 calls it “boasting about tomorrow.”.#3 “but the Lord establishes their steps.”What is going to happen is what God wants to happen. Seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (Mt 6:25-34), don’t worry for tomorrow, live in his presence right now, and watch him unfold his perfect plan before you. This means live according to his principles in his Word, and lay down your life for him and for his Kingdom. You cannot even imagine what he has in store for those who trust in him.Proverbs 16:9.A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.Play Audio:.Men have intelligence. They set goals and plan the means to achieve them. Irrational creatures cannot do this; they only react by instincts to stimulus. But the creator God sovereignly manages the details of actions, so that you are dependent on Him, for He may bless the good man with a favorable outcome and turn the evil man’s plans upside down.This proverb by Solomon is important. God rules your life. Man proposes; God disposes. Man freely devises; God powerfully directs. Man creatively plans; God masterfully dictates. Man acts as he pleases; God is pleased by how He uses man’s actions. God is the LORD! Your life and its plans are in His hands. Learn how to utilize this knowledge.Many wander and wonder through life, wishing they knew God’s will for them. But His will is not a mystery, and much of the answer is in this proverb. Commit your works to the LORD (Pr 16:3; Ps 37:4-5); devise a way to achieve your desired godly objectives (Pr 16:1; 15:22; 20:18); believe that He will take care of the details (Ps 37:23; 84:11).Obedient Christian reader, these words are for you: the LORD gave you a heart, so follow your affections for what you prefer. He gave you a mind, so think of how you might achieve your goals. Once you commit it to God and follow the rules of Scriptural wisdom, go for it! No matter what it is! Simply submit it to God’s will (James 4:13-15).There are no “perfect” human plans, so do not look for them. You live in a sinful world; everything is imperfect. God has not revealed perfect choices. You cannot see the next five minutes. Do not waste your life worrying, or you will always be frustrated. Many jobs could serve you well, if the Lord directs your steps. And this is also true with marriage, houses, business deals, family size, and so forth, if you obey revealed wisdom.If you fear or worry about circumstances or perfect plans, you will hesitate or do nothing, and you will lose God’s blessing for faith and diligence (Eccl 11:3-6). This debilitating situation may be called paralysis by analysis. While some analysis is good, too much is distracting and destructive. Since you do not know what will happen five minutes from now, run on in Biblical wisdom and zeal with whatever you have found to do (Eccl 9:10).Ruth was a poor widow in a foreign land. She devised in her heart to glean fields – pick up scraps after the reapers – a lowly job with little future potential (Ruth 2:2). But the LORD directed her steps to the field of Boaz, a rich, single man who ended up marrying her, and they had David as their great-grandson (Ruth 2:3; 4:17). Give God the glory!The Jews were condemned by the Persian Empire to genocide. Esther devised in her heart to have King Ahasuerus and Haman to lunch, though she feared for her life to even ask for the meeting (Esth 4:16-17). But the LORD turned the king’s heart toward her with great affection and responsiveness. After she told him of Haman’s evil plans, the King found Haman begging on her bed, and that was that (Esth 7:7-8). Give God the glory!Abraham devised a way to find a wife for Isaac, and his servant met Rebekah first. Jacob devised a way to flee from Esau, and the Lord blessed him to become rich with a large family. Joseph chose to be righteous, and the Lord directed his steps to Egypt’s throne. Jesse devised a way to send food to his sons in the army by his youngest son David, not knowing that God was directing David’s steps for a showdown with Goliath.But look carefully at Esther in reverse. Haman devised a way in his heart to annihilate the Jews, and he manipulated King Ahasuerus into signing the decree (Esth 3:1-15). But the Lord directed him to total humility and ruin by building a gallows, meeting the king at a time that resulted in honoring Mordecai, and falling on Esther’s bed (Esth 5:1 – 7:10).Consider Joseph in reverse. His brothers devised a way to get rid of “the dreamer,” who tormented them by his divine revelations, but the Lord directed their steps to sell him into Egypt, where he saved them all from starvation some years later (Gen 45:4-8; 50:19-21). They eventually fulfilled every dream Joseph had about them bowing low before him.The Jews devised in their hearts to rid themselves of Jesus of Nazareth, but the glorious God turned their devices upside down. His crucifixion was God’s choice for the salvation of the Gentiles that they hated and hoped to ruin, and He returned in holy revenge to destroy their temple, city, and nation for their crime. Every step they took in this most heinous crime was according to God’s eternal purpose (Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28; 15:18).When hearing about plans of wicked men, do not worry. They can bring nothing to pass that God has not already planned from eternity to overrule for His own glory, purposes, and people. The wicked are His pawns or puppets – His sword and His hand (Ps 17:13-14). Remember, He may even allow prosperity to deceive them (Pr 1:32). Remember, He may allow them to be successful for a while to heap up riches for you (Pr 13:22).When facing a decision and not knowing what to do, here is wisdom. Submit your life and works to God, choose that course that pleases you best within the limits of godly wisdom, obtain the approval of several wise counselors, and move ahead trusting the Lord to take care of the details out of your control. Do not fret about perfect goals or strategies, for you are not capable of knowing them. Your Heavenly Father cares for you, and He can more than compensate for any “mistake” you make with an inferior choice.Learn additional wisdom of Psalm 127:1-2, where David explained that your best efforts are vain without God’s blessing. Though God expects you to apply yourself diligently to achieve your goals, the outcome truly depends on His favor, not your ability, genius, or diligence in planning or executing your plans. He wants you to reject excessive worries or effort and go to sleep, because He loves you and will provide what you need.
Living Water Ministries 