Weekday mornings at breakfast, David reads a chapter out of Proverbs to the family. Recently he read Proverbs 19, then elaborated on verse 21 using a book by George F Santa called A MODERN STUDY IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS (copyright 1978). Meaty stuff. I thought I'd share it with you.
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD, it will stand."
"Here's the striking contrast between man and God, illustrated in a limited way by the vast disproportion seen between the 'worm' and his Maker. Man's most serious, well-digested thoughts are only - imagination - uncertainty - of little importance. But God's mind is counsel (Eph 1:11), firm and full purpose. Man's plans are many; God's counsel is like Himself - Unity. Man's plans are full of anxiety. Many are eventually fruitless (Ps 2:11). All of them are vain (Ps 94:11). God's counsel is unchanging, and shall stand forever (Ps 89:2; 119:89). 'I act and who can reverse it!' and 'My purpose will be established. And I will accomplish all My good pleasure" (Isa 43:13; 46:10).
"Now when God and man were as one, man's plans were identified with God's counsel. Then it was as the days of heaven upon earth. But ever since the fall, man's plans and God's counsel have been in opposition. Which will triumph, who can doubt? "There is no wisdom and no counsel against the Lord" (Prov 21:30; Heb 6:17). . . . [He mentions Lamentations 3:37].... How vain the impious attempt to fight 'against God'! (Acts 5:39) 'Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker'! (Isa 45:9) Our liberty does not interfere with His secret purpose. But let us be careful that it does not resist his declared will. As His wisdom chooses our lot, let His Word discipline our desires as the best means of bringing them to a prosperous end. After all, it is a cheering hope. All is clear above, however cloudy it might be below. All is calm in heaven, no matter how stormy it might be on earth. There is no confusion there. God reigns alone. His very purpose reaches its appointed end. 'But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does' (Job 23:13)."
Motivated by His Sovereign love,
Julia
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD, it will stand."
"Here's the striking contrast between man and God, illustrated in a limited way by the vast disproportion seen between the 'worm' and his Maker. Man's most serious, well-digested thoughts are only - imagination - uncertainty - of little importance. But God's mind is counsel (Eph 1:11), firm and full purpose. Man's plans are many; God's counsel is like Himself - Unity. Man's plans are full of anxiety. Many are eventually fruitless (Ps 2:11). All of them are vain (Ps 94:11). God's counsel is unchanging, and shall stand forever (Ps 89:2; 119:89). 'I act and who can reverse it!' and 'My purpose will be established. And I will accomplish all My good pleasure" (Isa 43:13; 46:10).
"Now when God and man were as one, man's plans were identified with God's counsel. Then it was as the days of heaven upon earth. But ever since the fall, man's plans and God's counsel have been in opposition. Which will triumph, who can doubt? "There is no wisdom and no counsel against the Lord" (Prov 21:30; Heb 6:17). . . . [He mentions Lamentations 3:37].... How vain the impious attempt to fight 'against God'! (Acts 5:39) 'Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker'! (Isa 45:9) Our liberty does not interfere with His secret purpose. But let us be careful that it does not resist his declared will. As His wisdom chooses our lot, let His Word discipline our desires as the best means of bringing them to a prosperous end. After all, it is a cheering hope. All is clear above, however cloudy it might be below. All is calm in heaven, no matter how stormy it might be on earth. There is no confusion there. God reigns alone. His very purpose reaches its appointed end. 'But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does' (Job 23:13)."
Motivated by His Sovereign love,
Julia
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