How can we commit our work to the Lord and have our plans established (Proverbs 16:3)?

What a comfort that it is He who bids one to commit his works to Himself (literally, roll them upon Him), "and thy thoughts (not merely thy works) shall be established"! His goodness answers to our trusting Him with what is outward, and graciously establishes our "thoughts," so apt to vacillate and pass away. How slow are even His own to learn the loving interest He takes in those that confide in Him!

The name Jehovah (LORD) appears eleven times in this chapter of Proverbs. The Lord has the final word, for to man belong the preparations (or plans) of the heart; but from the LORD is the answer of the tongue. It is the same thought as in our English proverb--"Man proposes--God disposes." Man loves to justify himself, his ways are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits; He is the judge of ways and motives. Our works are to be committed (literal: rolled upon) unto the LORD, then establishment and blessing will follow. It is strange that these three verses were omitted in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament.

"The preparations of the heart belong to man," that is, a man's heart devises what he wants, "but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord" (v. 1). The eventual outcome depends on what the Lord decrees by His Word. One may believe that his ways and actions are pure, but this is merely a personal opinion, which is often far from the truth, for the Lord weighs the spirits (v. 2). We may find some people "lighter than vanity," having a spirit that takes no time to consider the actual value of their ways. Therefore, before acting, how wise to commit our works to the Lord (v. 3), so that our thoughts may be properly established.

A third instruction is in verse 5. "Commit thy way to the Lord," or, as the margin has it, "Roll thy way upon the Lord." How often are we in such perplexing and trying circumstances that our way seems hedged up and impossible: sometimes we may be misjudged, oppressed and even persecuted. What can we do? We can roll the responsibility of our way upon the Lord, and rely on Him. There is immense relief in this. The load is taken off our feeble shoulders, and placed upon His shoulders of strength.

This committing of our way to the Lord supposes of course that we are in the midst of tribulation and testing from the adversaries. Let us remember that it is not the first item of instruction, nor the second, but the third. It takes for granted that we are trusting in the Lord, and finding our delight in Him. Then, and only then, shall we be prepared to roll our way upon Him, and know that as a happy consequence, "He will bring it to pass."

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (v. 9). A man may spend hours in planning what he will do, but the believer might well spare himself such hours of planning, and rather depend on the Lord to direct him in the way that is good. Of course we should not act without considering the way we go, but it is vital that a believer should take the Lord into his plans, leaving those plans flexible enough to allow the Lord occasion to change them if He will, and with the full confidence that the Lord will direct us rightly.

"Plans are established by counsel" (v. 18). If we depend simply on the counsel of the Lord, our plans will be well established. There are times, however, - that we do not have clear direction from scripture as to what we plan, and if so, it is often wise to consult with godly friends, who may be able to direct us to scriptural principles that will help in such matters. When it is a matter of waging war with the enemy of our souls, it is a true benefit to have wise counsel from those who seek the honor of the Lord.

But verse 13 reproves another matter that also stems from conceit, that is, the confidence in well-laid plans for the future, which depends upon personal wisdom end ability, and with material gain as the object. This is not taking the place of a child before Father, dependent and subject. For we actually know absolutely nothing as to the future. Even our entire life is as a. vapor, appearing momentarily, then vanishing: we have no control over it. Therefore, it is only wisdom to depend utterly upon the Lord, and always modify our plans by the sensible words, "If the Lord will."

True piety brings God and His will into everything. It is wholesome to recognize our own littleness and the brevity of our days. In a boastful spirit we may begin legislating for our own future, but it is evil work. We have no power to legislate, since we cannot even command what shall be on the morrow. But why should we wish to legislate when we are the Lord's, and He has a will about us? Shall we not recognize His guidance and be satisfied with that?

Perfection of order is of God, and system is God's plan. It is only when man makes a system, which interferes with God's system, and shuts out the action of the Spirit, that it is wrong. It is right to plan, if it be in subjection to the will of God. (See James 4:15.)

We all have to make plans — in our daily lives as well as in the service of the Lord. The apostle also had plans or ideas about what he wanted to do. But we can learn a vital lesson from him: he was always dependant on the guidance of his Lord. He was sensitive to see when the Lord clearly wanted to change his plans and guide him in another direction.