“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”(rf. Prov. 16:9 ESV)
I am always amazed at this dichotomy between the inherent arrogance and pride of man and the absolute sovereignty of Almighty God. Indeed, this interplay between the perception of power to control on the part of mankind and the reality of God to rule all things is a wonder to behold. It has actually been a major player behind the theology of American Christianity for the better part of the last century and Christians in most American churches had no real idea that this issue was going on. If questioned, many would have felt like that God was somewhere out there, but He had gone on vacation for awhile and left human beings at the wheel of His creation to take care of things in His absence.
Today, within the Church, there is still the glorification of man’s will over God’s as if we as humans are somehow superior to Him. Indeed, we were made in His image (rf. Gen. 1:26-27). As such, we were endowed with a will to make choices. These choices of good or ill, right or wrong have very real consequences in this life by God’s design. He did not make us to be robots or puppets. However, being created in His image does not in any respect put us on the same level as God nor does it place us above Him.
Solomon understood this implicitly and put forth this principle in a very practical manner. If we are wise as human beings, we will rightly discern our place in the universe and act accordingly. We would make our plans with the understanding that these schemes are not written in stone nor should they be considered so by ourselves or others. We must always be adaptable. Why, you may ask? Why can we not be certain in our own determinations? Solomon gives us the answer in the second part of the proverb: “but the Lord establishes his steps.”
You see, as the old saying goes, “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men” often go awry (by the Scottish poet Robert Burns) so it does not pay to lock down one’s vision as certain. The only true certainty is the Lord’s will in any matter. What the Lord Himself has determined for us will no doubt come to pass. This is the contrast that Solomon is presenting to the reader. We cannot make our plans firm and sure. God, however, has already established His plans in our lives and in the universe; therefore, His plans are without question guaranteed and assured. We can make our plans, but it is the Lord who will “establish (our) steps”.
Is this teaching predestination? Yes, absolutely! Knowing that the God of Scripture is all-powerful, able to plan and execute His designs without fail in line with His righteous character is a tremendously comforting thought to the believer in Christ. This wondrous Heavenly Father is and has been busy about “establish(ing our) steps” long before we ever began making our plans. Therefore, as we trust in Him by faith, we can be confident in the outcome, understanding that our faith is not in our plans, but, rather, it is in Him who is leading us every step of the way.
