More plans

Proverbs 19:21

The key word or idea in this verse is "plans" (or "purpose"). This is an example of Hebrew poetry/wisdom where the author makes a statement in the first line and either expands on or contrasts it in the second line. In this case it is a contrast between the plans a human makes and the prevailing purpose of the Lord. The essence is that God's plans always prevail over the plans of humans.
Right away, this brings to mind the proverb that states: there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death (Prov 14:12). It also brings to mind Jesus' metaphor of the wide gate and narrow gate in Matthew 7. The wide gate and wide road seem more attractive but it ends in destruction. The small gate and narrow road seems more difficult but it leads to life.
Here's what I learn from this passage:
1) There is a higher plan than my own and that plan will always prevail over my own plans because God is sovereign. Even if God's plan seems foolish, it is wiser and higher than my own plan. God's plan of salvation seems foolish: that we would not work our way to salvation but that he would pay the price for salvation so we could receive it freely. However, it is the wisest plan possible in that we, who are weak, crippled, blind, lame and poor, could never do enough to earn salvation. We are dependent on God's wonderful plan of grace and redemption.
2) I must be sure that I am not relying on my own plan and my own wisdom for salvation. I recognize these tendencies in myself and so I must be very careful to remember always that it is only and completely by the grace of God that I am saved.
3) Every day in many different ways, I have the opportunity to choose God's way or the way that seems right. I must constantly make the choice between choosing what looks easy and what is right.
4) In all the planning I do, I must remember that God is above it all. I must not allow myself to become so rigid in my planning that I leave no room for God's agenda or get terribly upset when God upsets my plan with his own.
5) I have great hope that the evil plans of many humans in this world will not succeed - it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.