October 07, 2022 – Friday
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3 KJ21
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Comment
Have you ever made plans and they simply were for naught? That happens every so often to me, but this morning it happened to myself and my wife. In her planning book she had notes we were to meet another couple for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. after which the wives were to be dropped off at a quilting event, a ONE STOP SHOP HOP, where vendors galore were lined up to share their products (for a price) with quilting enthusiasts. Then later (2-4 hours later) we would return to pick them up with all their goodies.
It didn’t work out that way or at least it didn’t start that way. With all our planning (our planning because she had told me (warned me?) so I would be prepared) we were wandering around the house taking care of one little thing after another when my bride got a text at 9:15 a.m. saying We have a table for four. So much for our planning as we now rushed around like crazy to get there as soon as possible. But the old saying “Haste makes waste” came to bear as we had to turn around to turn off the oven and take out the food therein. Yes, it seemed like a Marx Brothers film for a bit. We finally made it there at 9:50 a.m. Our friends were incredibly gracious about our late arrival. Had a fine meal and great discussion before dropping off the ladies at the ONE STOP SHOP HOP.
With the above in mind, I wanted to find a verse with plans or planning to see what the Bible would have to say. I chose the above verse initially thinking it would be simple and straight forward. Once again, my lack of planning reared its ugly head. Benjamin Franklin said, By failing to plan, you are preparing to fail. Winston Churchill said something very similar, He who fails to plan is planning to fail. My only saving grace is I planned enough time to really figure out this verse, so let’s get to it.
Here’s the verse, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans NIV or Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established KJ21. The first thing I discovered was, Commit to the Lord was literally Roll your works onto the Lord. This is analogous to when a man rolls to another man a burden, which is too heavy for himself, imploring his help. The Pulpit Commentary was more explicit, stating it means Transfer thy burden to the Lord, cast upon him all that thou hast to do; do all as in his sight, and as an act of duty to him. Frankly, I do not think I would have gotten this until I remembered a few other verses with similar ideas stated more directly. First Psalm 55:22, Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken and 1 Peter 5:7, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
The latter part of the verse KJ21, thy thoughts shall be established when looked at via Ellicott’s Commentary almost translates to the NIV when he writes, Thy plans shall prosper, for they will be undertaken according to the will of God, and carried out by His aid. With this in mind the verse makes a great deal of sense.
Bottom Line: Lean on the Lords with all of your works and don’t just call upon Him like a fire alarm as a last resource. Instead, go to Him at the beginning and He will straighten our thoughts leading us to solid established plans.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for such a wealth of knowledge in one short verse if we will but look at it deeply. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek