The Bible reveals to us a God who is sovereign in all things. God remains sovereign even over the decisions that we make. 'Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails' (Proverbs 19:21). Indeed the death of Jesus demonstrates this sovereignty in action: 'This man [Jesus] was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross' (Acts 2:23). In the death of Jesus people carried out their evil plans yet through their actions God achieved his purpose.
Other verses reinforce this picture of God being in sovereign control over people's plans. 'A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How can anyone understand his own way?' (Proverbs 20:24). 'The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases' (Proverbs 21:1).
How do we respond to the fact that God is sovereign over our plans? Supposing we face a choice between two courses of action, how does God's sovereignty help us decide what to do? How do we handle the amazing fact that God gets his way regardless of the decisions we make? It puts our planning into perspective!
The primary ground upon which we are to make our choices is moral - we are always to seek to act in ways that honour God. Indeed the moral choices we make do have consequences for our lives (Gal. 6:7-8), we reap what we sow. Yet God remains in control whatever our actions. His plans are not dependant upon us making good choices. And if we find ourselves facing a choice where neither option is morally superior to another, and God has not intervened to show us what to do, we can feel free to do what we like.
The book of Proverbs advises us with the following words, 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight' (3:5-6).
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