Thought for the Day

God is sovereign over man's affairs. Man may scheme to accomplish his plans, but only God knows if he will attain them; since He, and He alone, knows the future. Certainly, as Christians, we are to plan our days, but we should always be flexible, ready to change our plans, if God directs us to do something else. I have read testimonies of how lives were saved because the Lord directed someone to go in a different direction. If they had disobeyed, they would have been destroyed. We must be very sensitive as to what God's voice is telling us to do at all times. If we do not obey His voice in little matters, our hearing grows dull and we may not hear Him when we are in danger. Learning to hear and obey God will save us much trouble and heartache, and perhaps our very lives. Remember, hearing God has everything to do with proximity (being close to Him).

Many Christians confidently pursue their plans to make money without submitting them to God. James 4:13-15 admonishes those who make gain their life's goal: "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

The only safe place for anyone is in the will of God. If we remain in His will, we can rest assured that His promises will not fail us. By setting our plans above God's, we can open ourselves up for Satan to attack us. If God is speaking to us to do certain things, it is so that we might be spared pain tomorrow. He loves us and has the best plan for our lives. It is vital that we learn to live according to Proverbs 3:5-7: "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. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."

God promises to direct our way when we ask Him and are ready to obey. He will never fail us, but will give strength and wisdom for every situation. The Lord desires to give us every righteous desire of our hearts, since He is a good God who desires to bless His children with good things. If He refrains from granting a request, it is always for a good reason. He knows what is best. Perhaps we are not ready or able to receive what we ask. Also, if it involves the wills of other people, He must work with them until they are willing for what we are praying to happen. This can create long delays. However, if we commit our way unto the LORD and obey Him, He will bring it to pass. "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:4-5).