Proverbs 19:21 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, people making plans. They keep their schemes to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God. He knows the many thoughts and plans in human hearts, including plans against his purposes (Psalm 2:1-3; Micah 4:11), plans made without asking for his help or caring about his providence, as in James 4:13, and plans that simply do not match his wise counsel.

People often waver in what they plan, and their ideas can be foolish or unfair. God’s plans are different. They are wise, holy, steady, and always the same.

Second, we see God ruling over all of it. Different people make different plans, depending on what they want or what serves their interests, but the Lord’s purpose will stand no matter what people do. His counsel often breaks human plans and frustrates human schemes, but human schemes cannot change his purpose, disturb his work, or force him to choose a new way (Isaiah 14:24; Isaiah 46:11).

This is a warning to clever, self-important people who think they can outsmart everyone. There is a God in heaven who laughs at them (Psalm 2:4). It is also a comfort to all God’s people, because all of God’s purposes, which are always right and good, will be carried out at the right time.