Thy Strong Word — Proverbs 16:1-9: The Best Laid Plans

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Solomon teaches in these proverbs about the balance between human plans and God’s will. Though people make their own plans and assess their intentions, it is God who ultimately guides their steps, sees into their hearts, and determines their paths. The passage urges humility and trust in God’s wisdom while striving to live righteously, reminding us that God leads the faithful and rewards those who follow His guidance.

The Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 16:1-9.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

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Proverbs 16:1-9

16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.^[a]
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
⁴ The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
⁵ Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
⁶ By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
⁷ When a man’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
⁸ Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
⁹ The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.

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Footnotes

1. Proverbs 16:2 Or spirits

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org