MAY 21 – Direction in the Detour
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 57; 2 Corinthians 12–13
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“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9
“God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!” — Psalm 57:3b
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:10
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Ever make a plan that totally fell apart? You studied hard but didn’t make the grade. You trained for months but didn’t make the team. You thought things were finally looking up, and then… they weren’t. That can be frustrating—especially when you feel like you’re doing everything right.
But Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that while we can make plans, it’s God who ultimately guides our steps. Even when it looks like everything’s going sideways, God isn’t lost or confused. He’s faithful—Psalm 57 says He sends out His steadfast love to meet us where we are. And Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12 that sometimes our weakness is exactly where God’s power shows up best.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. Whose Plan Wins? Are you willing to trust God’s plan even when it doesn’t match your own? Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that He sees the bigger picture we can’t.
2. Pain with Purpose: Paul’s “thorn” in 2 Corinthians wasn’t removed, but God used it to show His strength. What hardship might God be using in your life to grow your faith?
3. Praise in the Waiting: In Psalm 57, David praises God before he’s rescued. What would it look like for you to worship even while you’re still in the middle of the mess?
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BOTTOM LINE
God isn’t thrown off by detours. His love, power, and purpose remain steady—even when life doesn’t go the way you planned. Trust that His steps are better than your schedule.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me trust You when my plans don’t work out. Teach me to lean on You in weakness, to praise You in uncertainty, and to follow You even when the path isn’t clear. Show me how You’re working in the middle of my mess, and give me strength to walk with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.