Proverbs Ponderings #3

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established (ESV)

            This is a well known proverb. It is one that brings comfort but also reminds us that we have a part- faith, trust, obedience; in the plans God has. Yes, each of our works are in his sovereign hands, but we are to walk in them. This week I was reminded of the dual aspect of this verse as I searched my house for my immunization records so I could complete the medical history part of my missions application. It’s easy, for me, to get caught up in the big picture of what I would like to happen, or to beat myself up for actions in the past, and forget that each day is new, containing many opportunities to commit my work and let God establish my plans. I want to live in mind of my legacy- knowing that my decisions today directly impact the legacy I’ll leave. They will become my habits, aspects of my character, requiring daily intentionality.

Who you are when you don’t have to be will determine who you will be when you don’t have a choice.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry: Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on Him.

Barnes: Commit- literally, as a man transfers a burden from his own back to one stronger and able to bear it.

Gill: Commit thy works unto the Lord
Natural, civil, or religious; seek to him for strength and assistance in all, and leave the success of all with him:… cast all care upon him and his providence for supply, support, and sustenance in life; and commit the business of the salvation of thy soul, and the important affairs of it, wholly to him, who is able, willing, and faithful, to keep what is committed to him; and, having so done, may sit down easy and satisfied, as one that is rid of a burden by casting it on another, better able to bear it, or more equal to the work committed to him:

when a man has, by faith and in prayer, committed himself, his case, his ways and works, to the Lord, his mind is made easy, his thoughts are composed and settled, and he quietly waits the issues of things; he says, the will of the Lord be done; he knows that he causes all things to work together for good; and whatever is for his good and God's glory shall be brought to pass; and this makes him calm, sedate, and easy; and he is in a fair way of having his designs, desires, and endeavours accomplished.

Similar Verses

Psalm 37:3-7Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes

Philippians 2:12-13 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

What stands out to you about this passage? How can you practically live out trusting your works to the Lord each day? My prayer this week is that I live in light of the truth that as I commit my works to God, being faithful in what I see in front of me today, that I will remember that HE is faithful and his plans are good. The pastor of Langley Evangelical Free Church, Darren Young, remarked in one of his recent sermons that “our pain, families, problems, and cares are all in HIS hands. They’re HIS business. He cares about them; even more than we do. He is working and we can trust him, daily.