BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Proverbs 16

BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Proverbs 16: "Proverbs 16

There are two verses in this chapter that have always stuck with me, and that my dad and I have talked about a number of times:

3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

At first glance, they seem to be contradictory. Which one is it? Will God make our plans succeed if we commit them to him, or is he going to determine our steps regardless of how we plan our course?

The answer is... "YES."

This is a concept I know I'll never completely understand, but I believe God wans us to commit our plans to Him, and he WANTS us to succeed. At the same time, he is ultimately going to determine our steps and guide our paths. He wants to commune with us as we share with Him our plans, hopes and dreams, and he wants us to trust Him with those same plans, hopes and dreams, and know He will make clear our paths, and direct us in the best possible ways.

What do you think? How do you manage this balance?