Proverbs 21:30–31 (NIV)
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the LORD.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.
Planning and preparation matter. They matter a lot. There are books and videos and conferences on planning. But ultimately, they are not what is essential. That’s what this Proverb is saying.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.
The psalmist writes:
Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
John records Jesus saying:
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
In other places in the Psalms, we read:
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)
No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:16–19)
We put so much stock and confidence in horsepower, while Scripture is clear that horsepower will never get it done.
PRAYER
Abba Father, we hope not in our plans—even the plans we believe come from your hands. We hope in you alone. We will plan and we will prepare, but by your Spirit we will trust the outcome to you. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.
PROMPT
- Why do we put so much stock in our own strength and wherewithal?
- Have you ever fallen into the trap of thinking it is either planning our way or trusting in God? It is not an either-or but a both-and.
- How might I grow in a greater trust in God?
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