Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Have you ever seen two children fight over a toy? One yells out, “Its mine!” The other responds, “But I had it first- give it to me!” I feel the same is true many times with God; however, we’re the only ones acting like selfish children. Many times God says as our Father, “Place your plans in my hands.” And we respond, “No God, my plans are mine, I don’t want to share them.”
Examine your life and think about how many times you have taken your life and put it in your own hands. You did what you wanted, when you wanted to, and felt you didn’t need to answer to anyone. Now also remember how those things worked out… probably not well, especially spiritually speaking. Someone might respond, “I’ve done good without God in my life, I’m a self-made man.” However, when you look into the spiritual condition of such a person they may be “self-made,” but they’re a “self-made mess!”
Just because someone thinks they can succeed at building a business, a career, or a bank account without honoring God doesn’t mean they’re a success. The Bible says that people like that are actually fools because all their riches and success will disappear like a vapor of smoke when they die, James 4:14!
As a result, King Solomon is teaching us in the above proverb to always commit our ways to the Lord to have our plans succeed. And the first major plan we need to commit to the Lord is our “plan after death.” Then we should commit our plans for marriage and family to God. And lastly, our jobs and careers should go into His hands.
Of course, giving God the things that are most dear to us is not always easy. However, if we humble ourselves like a child, we can joyfully and willing respond when we hear our Father say, “Please give me your plans!”
Reflection
Action
- Think of three things in your life you should commit to the Lord.
- In prayer surrender and commit those things to God.
- Ask God to give you plans that lead to success in each of the three areas.
