Lean on the Lord

The Plans, Ways and Works of a Man

Proverbs 16:1 — The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Introduction

• Tips for reading Proverbs:

• a) It is written primaryliy by Solomon the king to his son ("my son").

• b) The principle message is the getting and keeping of wisdom. Wisdom is not mystical or out of reach, but the wisdom of this book is personal and accessible as Wisdom publically invites men to listen and warns those who do not.

Proverbs 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

Proverbs 3:13 — Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

I. The Plans of a Man, vs. 1

• Preparations, disposition, the arrangement of the inward heart, will, intellect, thoughts
• The inward arrangement of things
• We can get "full of self" There is a trait of the human condition where we are commonly tempted to think too highly of our self.
• Vain, arrogant, overmuch esteem

Proverbs 25:27 — It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

• Deceived by or own mind, heart
• "Tripping up insidiously by the heel" ---- Video of Doctor tripping.

Jeremiah 17:9 — The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

• Then what?

Jeremiah 17:10 — I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

• We can ASK but God ANSWERS. --- Stay humble and patient

Proverbs 19:21 — There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

II. The Ways of a Man, vs. 2

• "Road Trodden"
• Familiar and objectively good "paths" = a rich bible steady habit
• Familiar and objectively bad "paths" = Samson - injurious to things and those we love
• ALL is clean in his own eyes
• I am not my own judge: God is.

Hebrews 4:12 — For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

III. The Works of a Man, vs. 3

• The "occupation" but also the "work product"

Genesis 40:17 — And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

• Commit - - Roll -- away, together

Psalm 22:8 — [derogatory] He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. -- Ps 22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

• I was fully dependant on the Lord from the word go.