God's Purpose Prevails - Proverbs 19:20-21
Proverbs 19:20-21 (NLT) "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail."
Introduction:
Today, we will explore two verses from Proverbs that speak directly to the plans we make and the purpose that God has for each of our lives. The book of Proverbs offers wisdom that can guide us in every aspect of life, from daily decisions to our deepest longings and plans.
Proverbs 19:20-21 challenges us with a powerful truth: while we may make our own plans, ultimately, it is God's purpose that will prevail. We often think that we control our future, that our choices, ambitions, and decisions alone will determine the outcome. But the Bible teaches us something different—God's plans are greater, and His purpose will always stand.
Let’s look closer at the wisdom these verses have for us.
Point 1: Seek Wisdom Through Counsel (Proverbs 19:20)
The first part of our passage, Proverbs 19:20 (NLT), says, "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life."
This verse stresses the importance of seeking wisdom. One of the ways we grow in wisdom is by listening to godly counsel and instruction. Proverbs often contrasts the wise with the foolish, and one of the key differences is that wise people seek advice, while fools ignore it. Wisdom is not something we are born with; it is something we grow into as we seek the right counsel, both from others and from God’s Word.
In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to rush into decisions without seeking advice. But this verse reminds us to stop, listen, and learn from those who have walked with God. It’s not just about learning from experience, but learning from the wisdom of others who may have insight we lack.
The Hebrew word for "advice" here is ????? (‘etsah), which refers to counsel or guidance, particularly from someone with greater experience or insight. This word implies more than just casual advice; it’s about intentional, thoughtful guidance that shapes our lives.
Imagine trying to navigate a dense forest without a map or a guide. You might wander in circles, making little progress. But if you have a guide who knows the way, you will reach your destination more efficiently. In life, godly counsel is like that guide—pointing us in the right direction, showing us paths we might not have seen on our own.
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT) says, "Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others."
This verse echoes the same truth: wise people seek counsel, while fools think they know it all. Wisdom comes from humility, from recognising that we don’t have all the answers. As followers of Jesus, we are called to seek advice not only from trusted friends and mentors but, most importantly, from God’s Word. God’s counsel is perfect and always reliable.
Point 2: We Make Plans, But God’s Purpose Prevails (Proverbs 19:21)
The second verse, Proverbs 19:21 (NLT), says, "You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail."
This is a powerful truth about life. We all make plans. Some of us plan our careers, families, financial goals, and even the smallest details of our lives. But no matter how carefully we plan, it is God’s purpose that will ultimately stand.
The Hebrew word for "purpose" is ????? (‘atsah), which refers to God’s divine counsel or plan. While it is related to the advice we seek from others, in this context, it speaks of God’s eternal, unchangeable will. This reminds us that God’s purpose is sovereign, and His will is far greater than our own plans.
Does this mean we shouldn’t make plans? Not at all! Planning is wise, but we must always remember that our plans are secondary to God’s. We must remain open to God redirecting us or even changing our plans entirely. Life is unpredictable, but God’s purpose is firm. When we trust in God’s plan, we don’t have to be anxious about the future because we know His will is perfect.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) reminds us, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
God’s plans for us are good. Even when things don’t go according to our own plans, we can trust that God is working for our good. His purpose for us is filled with hope and a future, even if it looks different from what we imagined.
Have you ever built a sandcastle at the beach? You work hard to craft it, but then the tide comes in and washes it away. Life can feel like that sometimes. We build our plans, but then something unexpected happens, and those plans fall apart. However, God is like the steady ocean—His purpose moves forward, and nothing can stop it. We can trust Him with our lives, even when things don’t go as we expected.
Point 3: Aligning Our Plans with God’s Will
While it is natural to make plans, the key is to align our plans with God’s will. James 4:13-15 (NLT) says, "Look here, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.'"
James reminds us that life is fragile and unpredictable. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, so we must approach life with humility. Instead of boasting in our plans, we should always submit our plans to God’s will, saying, “If the Lord wills.”
It’s easy to get caught up in our own agendas and forget to seek God’s will. But we must remember that true success comes not from fulfilling our own desires but from following God’s purpose. How do we align our plans with His will? Through prayer, through seeking His guidance in His Word, and through a heart that is willing to obey, even when it requires surrendering our own plans.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
This familiar verse calls us to trust God fully, not leaning on our own understanding. When we seek God’s will in everything we do, He promises to direct our paths. This means that even when we face uncertainty or challenges, we can trust that God will lead us exactly where we need to go.
Imagine a sailor navigating the seas. He may have a destination in mind, but he must constantly adjust his sails to the wind. In the same way, we must adjust our lives to the direction God is leading. We may have plans, but we need to be willing to change course when the Spirit leads us in a different direction.
Point 4: Trusting in God’s Sovereignty
Ultimately, these verses call us to trust in God’s sovereignty. Even when things don’t go according to our plans, we can have confidence that God is still in control. Romans 8:28 (NLT) tells us, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
God is always at work, even when we can’t see it. His plans are always for our good. Sometimes life doesn’t make sense; sometimes our plans fall apart. But in those moments, we can trust that God is weaving everything together for a greater purpose.
When we face disappointment or uncertainty, instead of becoming frustrated or discouraged, we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control. He knows the end from the beginning, and His purpose will always prevail.
Think of a tapestry. On the back, it may look messy and chaotic, with loose threads and knots. But when you turn it over, you see a beautiful, intricate design. In the same way, our lives may feel chaotic at times, but God is weaving a beautiful design. We just have to trust Him with the process.
Conclusion:
So, church, as we reflect on Proverbs 19:20-21, let’s be people who seek wisdom, make plans with humility, and trust in God’s sovereign purpose. God’s plans are greater than ours, and His purpose will always stand. Are we willing to submit our plans to Him? Are we open to His leading, even when it requires changing direction?
Call to Action:
I encourage you today: seek God’s will in every area of your life. Whether it’s in your career, your family, your finances, or your future—make time to pray, to listen, and to trust in God’s purpose. Remember, you can plan, but God’s purpose will prevail. His will for you is good, and He will never lead you astray.
And if you’ve never trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you today to take that step of faith. God’s ultimate purpose for your life is that you would come to know Him, love Him, and live for Him. Jesus died on the cross so that you could be forgiven and have a relationship with God. Will you place your trust in Him today?
