◄ What Does Proverbs 16:1 Mean? ►

The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:1(NASB)

Verse of the Day

God is Sovereign and because we are made in His image, we have been given a free will - our sovereign will - and it is exhibited in the choices we make, the options we choose, and the preferences we select. However, we are fallen beings and the thoughts of our mind and the meditations of our hearts should be filtered through the Holy Spirit and submitted to His gracious leading so that the words that we speak are words as from the Lord, full of grace and seasoned with salt.

As individuals, we have the freedom to purpose in our hearts the moves we make and the things we do. We can devise many good schemes and we can plan some wonderfully practical things. Indeed, we have the God-given freewill to plan our life as seems best for us and for those around us.

We may consider that the plans we are constructing are a vital feature in our life, and even pray towards their fruition, but we must never forget that God is ultimately in control of our life. Adam was created to rule the earth under God’s authority and we too, as part of the new creation in Christ, are required to yield all that we are and all that we plan to Him.

The well-known proverb, "Man proposes but God disposes," or in a different translation, "People can make all kinds of plans, but only the Lord’s plan will happen." is true up to a point, but not in a wrong sense. God does not discard our plans in an unkind or careless way but in His omniscience, He knows what is best for us day by day, and we are wise to permit Him to order our ways and guide the words that come from our mouths.

Let us not be shy to purpose plans in our hearts, for God has ordained that we have a freewill to make our choices, but let us seek to give the dear desires of our hearts to the Lord, knowing that: "The plans of the heart belong to a person, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord."

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many truths that are hidden within the precious pages of Your Word. I pray that the plans and purposes of my heart will mirror the desire of Your will for me. Thank You that my life is in Your hands. I pray that the answer of my tongue and the plans for my life, are perfectly aligned to Your Word and Your will. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.