Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established (Proverbs 16:3, NKJV).
The Bible is filled with wisdom and instruction for all aspects of life, including our work. Proverbs 16:1-3 gives us insight into how to approach our work with humility and trust in God, who will ultimately bring success. In this article, we will explore ways to commit our works to the Lord, as outlined by these verses.
In our previous post, we examined the meaning and message of Proverbs 16:1-3 in great detail.
This post is a continuation of that study, and we will look at various ways to commit your works to the Lord.
The author of proverbs draws a distinction between the wise and the foolish. The righteous are wise, and the wicked are foolish.
The wise or righteous submit their plans to God’s providential care. The foolish or wicked place their faith in their hearts or minds.
The Lord desires for us to “roll” over our works, burdens, and fears to Him. The following are some ways you can relinquish control of your life to God.
8 Ways to Commit Your Works to God
1. Give Up Your Personal Desires
When committing your works to God, it is wise to set your personal desires aside and follow God’s lead. Giving up your personal desires and will opens you up to God’s promptings and biddings.
In her article about exchanging your dreams for God’s plan, MaryLynn Johnson writes:
He [God] desires that we surrender our own plans to him so that we can be ready, willing, and available to go wherever he leads — regardless of whether it’s what we pictured or planned for ourselves. It is never easy to loosen our grip on our own desires, but it is the first step to experiencing the joy of embracing God’s will for us.
Regrettably, we frequently make decisions without first seeking God’s approval. As a result, God’s role is reduced to that of a rubber stamp.
But that is not how God operates. God wants you to include Him in all aspects of your planning.
When you make plans without involving God, you clearly show that we are not seeking His will.
Approach God with an open mind and ask Him to direct your steps.
David approached God with an open mind and prayed:
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Proverbs 16:11, NKJV)
And the writer of Proverbs held the belief that::
In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. (Proverbs 12:28, NKJV)
2. Seek God’s Will in His Word
The Bible provides guidelines by which you might determine God’s will in your daily decisions.
Before putting your decision or activity into action, make sure it is in accordance with God’s revealed will.
The psalmist saw God’s message as a light::
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105, NIV)
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130, NIV)
The psalmist’s declaration above is absolutely correct. When God’s revealed word is correctly interpreted and positively received into your heart, it will enlighten you.
James gives us the key to determining whether a plan or strategy is God’s will. According to him, we must first examine our motivation for wanting to pursue our plan or strategy. Is our motive merely self-interest and fulfillment, or is it the advancement of the human race and God’s kingdom?
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3, ESV)
Most people pursue things for their own enjoyment, rather than for God’s honor and glory.
It is important to seek God’s will through His written word. You must examine your plans and projects through the lens of the Bible to ensure that they do not contradict biblical principles. If your plans do not align with God’s word, it is time to abandon ship. In his article Why It’s Important to Seek God’s Will in Your Life, Billy Graham emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s will with the following words:
God’s way is always best—and the reason is because He loves us and wants what is best for us. God has not left us to muddle through life on our own! He loves us, and He wants to guide us—and He will, as we turn in faith to Him and seek His will.
Billy Graham
3. Pray Over Your Plans
Prayerfully dedicate and invoke God’s blessing on all of your plans and projects.
Pray for revelation and insight to identify any gaps in your planning.
Make this psalmist’s prayer your own:
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (Psalm 143:10, ESV)
4. Write Down Your Plan
After you’ve finished praying, jot down any thoughts that come to mind.
Examine your strategy to ensure that there are no logical gaps.
Consider all options, including the pros and cons of your plan.
Pray for each idea throughout the planning process.
In Luke 14:28, Christ stresses the importance of planning with the following words:
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. (Luke 14:28, NKJV)
5. Roll It Over to God in Trust
At some point during your planning, you may find it difficult to make a decision. It’s also possible that the scope of your plan is overwhelming you. And as your uncertainty grows, so does your anxiety.
At this critical juncture in your life, you realize you are not self-sufficient.
You need the help of someone who can relieve you of your burden. You need God.
In Proverbs 16:3, God invites you to commit or “roll over” your burden to Him.
The apostle Paul warns us not to be anxious:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6, NKJV)
When we are overcome with anxiety, the psalmist reminds us of a safe haven:
When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul. (Psalm 94:19, BSB)
6. Act on Your Prayer and Plan by Faith
This is the point at which you put your plan into action and trust that it will succeed. It is the stage at which you go out into the world and put your prayers into action.
You work diligently and give it your all, secure in the knowledge that God is on your side.
Solomon encourages us to work hard:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going (Ecclesiastes 9:10, NKJV).
7. Wait On the Lord
We are always in a hurry as humans, looking for quick fixes. But God’s purposes are not rushed or delayed.
We must learn to wait for God’s answer and trust Him to bring about the desired outcome.
Patience is essential for us to achieve our goals and dreams.
The Psalmist encourages us to wait patiently for the Lord:
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14, BSB)
In her article What Does it Mean to Wait on the Lord, Kristi Walker writes:
We wait on the Lord to act – to deliver, to save, to avenge, to answer our prayers, to provide for our needs, to renew our strength, to reveal His glory, to do what only God can do.
8. Honor God with the Fruit of Your Labor
Once your plan has been accomplished, remember to thank God for His blessings.
God is honored when you express gratitude to Him for His blessings in your life.
The apostle Paul encourages us to be thankful regardless of our circumstances:
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, KJV)
David was a great man who used his wealth and resources to honor God. As a leader, he urged the entire assembly of God’s people to give generously:
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.(1 Chronicles 29:14, BSB)
Donations and offerings, while important, are not required to express your gratitude for God’s goodness. A simple prayer of thanksgiving to God is all that is required.
Takeaway:
As sinful beings, we lack the ability to bring our plans to fruition. Without God’s help and blessing, we are powerless and hopeless in our planning. Therefore, let us commit our works to the Lord.
You may want to read these other articles on committing your works to the Lord:
Bible Verses About Committing Your Works and Ways to the Lord
Top 7 Bible Verses About Committing Your Works and Ways to the Lord