Camp Fasting - Day 3

God’s Guidance for My Plans 

By: Godel

"In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Proverbs 16:9

In our daily lives, we always need to plan and make decisions; our lives are shaped by the choices we make. Oftentimes, we are faced with tough decisions, such as choosing which school to attend, which courses/major to pursue, which job to apply for, and whom to trust. Many choices are morally correct and allowable, but they may not be wise. So, how do we become individuals who plan our choices more wisely?

Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that as humans, we have the freedom to plan our choices and, therefore, are accountable for the consequences that arise from them. However, ultimately, it is God, in His sovereignty, who connects our choices to our destiny by establishing everything in our lives. Therefore, we are free from the fear of the future, for it is completely controlled by God, who makes everything work together for the good of His children who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. 

Proverbs 16:3-4

It is also important to remember that getting God to direct our lives comes with a cost. It requires our humility to abandon our desires and unconditionally obey His will. Committing our work to God (Proverbs 16:3) involves trusting Him to give and withhold from us whatever He chooses, in His time and His ways. Always remember God’s greatest love for us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Our Father loves us so deeply that He must have a loving purpose for withholding certain things in His children’s lives.

As we journey through life, there will also be difficult moments where we face unfortunate situations, and God seems absent. But those are also part of God’s guidance (Proverbs 16:4). Remember the famous story of Joseph, where he experienced tough times, being sold as a slave to Egypt by his own brothers. In the midst of it, God’s presence and favor were always with him (Genesis 39:2-5); only by going through those hardships, Joseph was able to fulfill his purpose and save his family from famine. The same applies to our lives - only in the end, we will be able to look back and see that what man meant for evil, God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20).

When we grasp all of these understandings and practice them, by the strength of the Holy Spirit, we are molded to be wiser in making our plans—plans with excellence, aligned to God’s purpose in our lives, and ultimately blessing others.