WEEK 9 – DAY 3

ETERNAL FATHER HAS FINAL WORD

People go about making their plans, but the Eternal has the final word. Proverbs 16:1 (VOICE)

It would be best to say, “If it is the Lord’s will and we live long enough, we hope to do this project or pursue that dream.” James 4:15 (VOICE)

In order to achieve “success,” we are told we must have short-term and long-term goals. We make business plans detailing what we hope to achieve this month, this year, or this decade. We engage in financial planning to ensure we can bring these plans to fruition. It is not that we should give up marking out a path for ourselves, but that we realize all our best laid plans are dependent upon the Lord. The Lord uses “circumstances” which we may perceive as good or bad to direct us exactly where He wants us to be. It is far better to recognize this reality from the beginning and surrender to His control than to be dragged kicking and screaming along the stepping-stones of life. When we seek first God’s will and ways and ask Him to guide us in the way that furthers His kingdom and glorifies Him, He provides for our needs (Matthew 6:33). When we evaluate our earthly “failures” in the light of God’s control, we can rest assured that He will set us upright as we trust Him. God’s having the final word in our lives can sound ominous or glorious depending on our relationship to Him. If we have trusted Jesus as our Savior and have been adopted as God’s children, we can rest easy in His sovereignty. If one rejects the Lord, that person will forever be struggling to stay on even ground. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Father, we trust in You to keep us on Your path. When our short-term or long-term goals conflict with Your plans for us, light the path, making it clear where we need to re-direct,