Proverbs 16:9-10 “A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps. The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.”

We can plan, but God can always overrule! What he doesn’t decree, he allows, and he knows and understands all. If our plans fail or succeed, God has allowed it to happen and has a purpose in it.

Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.”

There are some different understandings of verse 10. Is it defending the divine right of kings, as some translations imply? Or is it more as the NET Bible suggests, and serves as a reminder for kings to take their responsibility seriously? It is certainly true that we are to obey the authorities over us and recognize that they are there for a purpose, but it is also true that those in authority have a responsibility to do what is right and moral in God’s sight.

Romans 13:1-2 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 “When he sits on his royal throne he must make a copy of this law on a scroll given to him by the Levitical priests. It must be with him constantly and he must read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and observe all the words of this law and these statutes and carry them out. Then he will not exalt himself above his fellow citizens or turn from the commandments to the right or left, and he and his descendants will enjoy many years ruling over his kingdom in Israel.”