As we look at the first four verses of Proverbs 16 we see a classic picture of Law and Gospel at work. What is it we do? We make our plans, we judge our ways to be pure, we try to accomplish our purpose. Taking a moment to consider our desires and purposes in light of God's word we see that we consistently fall short. What do we desire? When we consider the commandments, which of us does love and trust in God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength? Which of us truly loves his neighbor as himself? No, our genuine heartfelt desire, even in our acts of charity and kindness, boils down to self-aggrandizement.
What is God's perspective as revealed in these same four verses? God has made "the wicked for the day of trouble" (ESV), He establishes the plans that are committed to him, He knows our plans and purposes, He tells us the answer, though we ignore it. We are confronted in this passage with a God who is quite unlike us. He works things out according to a different plan than the one we came up with. It isn't our world. It is God's world.
How will we be reconciled in this dispute? God's plan from the foundation of the world has been to redeem a people to himself in Christ, through our Lord's death on behalf of sinners. This is God's plan. And we see it accomplished in our New Testament reading. Looking at John 16.12-15 we see that our Lord has promised the Holy Spirit to declare what the disciples need. He has done so, revealing Jesus the living Word of God through the inspired Scriptures. He does so, drawing our attention to what the Bible says about Jesus. He does so, opening our eyes to God's final revelation. We are not alone. Again, it is God's world and He is quite able to accomplish in the world what He has purposed. His plans come to pass.
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