Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps. The doctrine of the text is matter of uniform experience. Little indeed does any one know what lies before him. I. THE GUIDANCE OF GOD MAY BE TRACED IN THE DISPENSATIONS OF HIS PROVIDENCE. NO natural causes can explain the wonderful events that occurred from the call of Abraham to the time of the Redeemer. In every scene, not only the miraculous, but the ordinary, the hand of the Deity is visible. We can often see clearly the traces of that hand when its work is done. II. THE SENTIMENT OF THE TEXT RECEIVES ITS FULLEST EXEMPLIFICATION IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE. In a way the most improbable, and at a time the least expected, the God of all grace has laid hold upon the soul. Illustrate from the woman of Samaria, and from Zaccheus. The means, no less than the time and occasion, are of God. Some striking providence, some simple truth repeated for the thousandth time, some whispered admonition of a Christian friend, awakes attention, excites to immediate consideration, and bows down the soul in true contrition and prayer. The teaching of the text is also illustrated in the removal of the fear of death when the death-time comes. (W. E. Schenck.) Parallel Verses KJV: A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.WEB: A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. |
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