Monday, July 4, 2022
Everything with a Place and a Purpose
16 Mortals make elaborate plans,
but God has the last word.
2 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good;
God probes for what is good.
3 Put God in charge of your work,
then what you’ve planned will take place.
4 God made everything with a place and purpose;
even the wicked are included—but for judgment.
5 God can’t stomach arrogance or pretense;
believe me, he’ll put those braggarts in their place.
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.
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.
Verse 1 study: Reread verse 1. This verse means that the final outcome of our plans is in God’s hands. Why do we make plans if it is in God’s hands? Doing God’s will. There has to be a partnership between our efforts and God’s control. Using our minds is what God wants; he wants us to seek out others and plan. But, the results are up to him. Planning helps us to act in God’s way. As you live for Him, ask for guidance when you plan, then work on your plan as you trust in him.
Verse 2 study: Reread verse 2. This verse means that anyone can say anything if there are no standards for judging right and wrong. We can prove we are right. But before putting any plan into action, ask yourself some questions.
- Is this plan in harmony with God’s truth?
- Will it work under real-life conditions?
- Is my attitude pleasing to God?
Verse 3 study: There are many ways to fail to commit whatever we do to the Lord. Some people dedicate their work superficially. They’ll say the work is done in God’s honor but are doing it for themselves to benefit. Others would give God control of their interest to only take it back when things don’t go right. Others commit a task to God but don’t put forth any effort and then wonder why they fail. Put a balance in dedication, trusting God as if everything depended on Him while working as if everything depended on us. Think of a task in which you are involved. Have you committed that task to the Lord and worked on your assignment on your end?
Verse 4 study: Let’s understand this verse because people believe it is saying that God created wicked people. He is using the people and activities of the wicked to fulfill his good purpose. We are infinite as God is. No matter our brightness, we will never be able to understand him completely. Therefore, we can believe he is not the root cause of evil, and we trust there are no loose ends in his justice system. Evil is an excellent temporary condition in the universe. God will destroy it one day. Meanwhile, he uses the evil intentions of people for his good purposes.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. -James 1:13, 17 ESV 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. -Genesis 50:20 ESV
Verse 5 study: Pride is the inner voice that whispers, “My way is best.” It is resisting leadership and believing that you can live without God. When you want to do that and look down on others, you are being pulled by pride. When you eliminate pride, God can help you because of all he wants you to be.
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