Proverbs 19:21

November 5, 2023

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.”

This particular Scripture out of the book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, one of the wisest kings that lived in his time. The entire chapter of Proverbs 19 is pertaining to Solomon revealing to us the importance of having true fear for the Lord. Not fear in a sense of panic or distress but fear as in reverence, respect, and honor for the almighty God. The reason why this is so significant is because when you truly love the Lord you will want to make sure that you don’t do anything that is contrary to God’s purpose for your life.

Solomon is disclosing to every one of us the fact that the heart of a man will always want to follow his own plans. However as a Christian we have to make sure that we seek the counsel of the Lord in every decision that we make. The reason that we need to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit is because a man’s heart is deceitful.

Jeremiah 17:9 breaks it down perfectly when Jeremiah states, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” A woman or a man’s mind can be easily swayed in the wrong direction especially if he or she is not saturating it with the Holy Bible. What you allow into your thoughts will eventually begin to consume your heart.

The enemy knows this and so he will try anything he can to get you to go against the Lord’s will for your life. That is why we have to make it a point to pray about everything and I mean everything. Philippians 4:6 reveals “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God.”

When you learn to get in tune with the voice of God you can stay aligned with God’s purpose and He ordains your every footstep. You cannot trust your own understanding because often times you are led by your emotions (your heart). The Lord knows where he is taking you and that closed door that wouldn’t open up is the His divine protection letting you know that it is not for you.

He will put you at the right place at the right time and there will be no sorrow or distress attached to your blessing, Proverbs 10:22. That is how you will know that it is from the Lord. The last thing that you ever want to do is pursue a direction that you know God did not tell you to pursue!

Often times, we want to do things our way and take matters into our own hands. The human mind has trouble comprehending the necessity of seeking the Lord for answers, direction, and guidance on decisions that are life altering.

For instance, searching for the right husband or wife is a very important decision to make. If you make the wrong choice you could be with the wrong person who in turn can create unnecessary anguish and misery in your life. The fact remains that the way a person looks on the outside can be deceiving, but God can see that person’s heart.

Now let’s take a closer look at the primary verse of Scripture that I am highlighting in the book of Proverbs. The word “plans” is the Hebrew word “maḥăšāḇâ” which means: device, plan, and purpose. The word “heart” is the Hebrew word “lēḇ” which means: mind, knowledge, thinking, refection, and memory.

One thing that we know for certain is that the mind of a man or woman is a very powerful thing. When it is swayed in the wrong direction is can cause a person’s heart to make the wrong decision. Here we can see that Solomon is describing what happens when a person bypasses the Lord’s purpose for them and does their own thing; they do not have a stable plan to follow.

God is clear when it comes to the importance of adhering to direction for your life. Proverbs 3:5-6 reveals, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” God knows all things and so what better counsel to seek than the counsel of Yahweh Himself. When you can trust God in everything that you do regardless of how small it is, He will direct your paths.

The last part of the portion of Scripture that I am highlighting in Proverbs will also disclose what can happen when you follow the counsel of the Lord. The words “nevertheless the counsel” is the Hebrew word “ʿēṣâ” which means: counsel, advice, and purpose. The words “will stand” is the Hebrew word “qûm” which means: be fulfilled.

So when we break down this last part of this verse of Scripture we can determine that when you follow God’s plan you will have results that will be fulfilled and will stand. How does one know the will for God for their life? Everything that you need to know about how to live your life as a believer of Jesus Christ is found in His Word. Anything that you ask God according to His will, he hears you, 1 John 5:14.

Do not rely on your human heart to make life altering decisions. Instead trust the Lord because no matter what He will never steer you in the wrong decision. He knows the beginning from the end and He is the only One that can make a way where there seems to be no way, Isaiah 43:19. It really boils down to whether or not you trust His purpose for your life? That is the question.

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