Human Plans and the Lord's Guidance (Proverbs 16)
- Yoriko Sakasegawa
- Jun 20
- 1 min read
“The preparations of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
(Proverbs 16:1, KJV)
After the chapter on words in Proverbs 15,
the landscape changes slightly.
Throughout Proverbs 16,
we repeatedly encounter people thinking about their own way.
“The preparations of the heart in man...” (Proverbs 16:1)
“A man's heart deviseth his way...” (Proverbs 16:9)
“All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes...” (Proverbs 16:2)
Yet the chapter tells us that it is the Lord who ultimately determines.
“The answer of the tongue is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:1)
“The LORD weigheth the spirits.” (Proverbs 16:2)
“The LORD hath made all things for himself:
yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”(Proverbs 16:4)
People think,
the Lord weighs,
the Lord establishes,
and the Lord guides.
What is striking is that Proverbs does not say,
“Do not make plans.”
It acknowledges that human beings plan and think.
“The preparations of the heart in man...” (Proverbs 16:1)
At the same time, it says,
“The answer of the tongue is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:1)
“A man's heart deviseth his way:
but the LORD directeth his steps.”(Proverbs 16:9)
Beyond human plans,
the Lord is still there.
As I walk through the forest of Proverbs,
I see people considering their paths,
making plans,
and preparing their answers.
Yet beyond their steps,
the Lord stands quietly.
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