Proverbs 20:24 Commentary and Bible Study

What does a man think that he understand better than his own mind? What is he more familiar with than his own plans and purposes? He believes his will is free just because he senses no constraint on it; he feels he is master of it. This is true of the believer and therefore the disciples needed to be told, ‘Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain’ (John 15:16). It is true in the matter of salvation, it is true in the matter of sin. How is it that we are not master even of our own hearts? Surely anyone who does not take account of Satan has greatly underestimated his situation, yet many are confident that they will not allow sin to gain a greater hold on them or descend further into the pit. How much less are we free from the Lord’s direction, who appoints all events that we encounter? God takes a particular interest in man’s ways, man’s history, how man lives – speaking of the birds of the air Christ says, ‘Are ye not much better than they?’ (Matthew 6:26). God directs the whole of history. All things happen according to his eternal purpose. Man has an altogether different purpose, but God’s purpose prevails, therefore how can a man understand his own ways? He is sometimes conscious of being thwarted, but often he is not aware of this, and yet either way he carries out the will of God. He meets with a constant flow of events that push him around. Man’s proper response is to humble himself beneath the mighty hand of God and not to overestimate his power. He must align himself with God’s will. At any moment he can take a false turn. He must live by prayer and seek guidance. We even do what we do not intend to do and when asked why, we cannot explain. And if of the Lord, how can we understand what is high above him, what is of the Lord? Puzzles of life to be met with modesty. We are moved like pieces on the chess board of a grand master. God shows us what he wants us to see and gives us experiences which he wants us to have. The workings of our own hearts are a puzzle to us. Men are like a ship being sailed by an experienced captain. Countless unforeseen providences meet us and steer us.