Archived Verse Of the Week

As we step forward into the new year, billions of people will meticulously plan what they hope to accomplish, creating a vision of how the future will evolve. But some of our best-laid plans fail to bear fruit.

 

Although it is beneficial to plan, dream, and ponder ahead, we must constantly be open to God-appointed changes in our direction. He could have something else in mind. Success or failure depends on God's ordination rather than people's efforts.

 

We learn from experience that sometimes we can't find a career we'll love. Yet, something we don't want to do ends up being our job, and the person we fall in love with isn't always the one we'll spend the rest of our lives with. We must realize that God is ultimately in charge of everything, and we have no influence over our destiny. 

 

This verse instructs us to abandon our agendas and submit to God's authority and arrangements. Entrust everything to God's hands, and accept and submit to His guidance and wisdom without personal expectations, wishes, or ambitions. Whether what happens to us is good or bad in the sight of others. Or whether it conforms to human concepts, we should pray and rely on God, seek God's will, and accept and submit to God's sovereignty. By doing this, we shall receive God's direction and leadership and experience inner peace.

 

Long before God created man, He created the cosmos, controlling the rules of change for all things and their direction. God holds man's heart and spirit in his hand, and everything in his life is seen through God's eyes. Whether you believe it or not, whether alive or dead, everything will change, renew, and disappear as per God's Will. 

 

For many, a man's heart plans his way; man is the only one who defines his future and path. We live in a world that expects us to make our own decisions and control our lives. A common misconception is that we can take many options and different pathways, each suitable for achieving our goals. Some people are obsessed with painstakingly arranging every aspect of their lives (Read James 4:13-14). Others place less value on it and rely more on "chance."

 

Let's be honest; we are guilty of becoming furious when intentions go awry and delight when unexpected circumstances help. Because our hearts are deceiving (Jeremiah 17:9), we could fall into sin and go in the wrong direction if we don't take the time to consider what we want properly. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21).

 

No matter what we intend, accomplish, or try to modify, God's Will ultimately prevails (Isaiah 46:10). God has the final say (Jeremiah 29:11). "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts" (Proverbs 21:2). God leads our steps (Jeremiah 10:23). 

 

Here is the contrast between what we plan and what happens: It is God who decides whether or not something gets done (Isaiah 43:13). He wields his power (Job 42:2) to allow, annul, or promote our ways. Simply put, man proposes, and God designates (Proverbs 19:21).

 

How often have we criticized ourselves for what we did or didn't do; we've stood at a crossroads and required wisdom or assistance to make sound decisions. Still, we were unsure whether the outcome would be consistent with the Will of God, who controls your life and journey. Rather than being overwhelmed by the need to make a decision, let us open our hearts to Christ, entrust our ways to Him, and wait for His response because He will know how to guide us. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28).

 

Let's keep our strength and trust the Lord; He will know how to lead us. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11). The key is to put all our trust in the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

 

Even though the Lord created us with the ability to think, he gave us free will so that we could make sensible decisions. But we must never believe that our ability to plan gives us authority over our life. The LORD is the one who guides our feet. Every decision we make should be held in the humbleness of God and submitted to His Will in the end.

 

We have a very restricted view of the future, no matter how thoroughly we evaluate our intentions. But God's Will brings us to a place of fulfillment we never imagined imaginable. None of our tomorrows are under our control. God not only knows the future, but He also holds it in His hands. God sees the finish from the beginning and may lead us to a different location with a different predicted result. But if we live by faith and trust His guidance, He will lead us to the best place He knows - not just in this world but in the eternal ages to come.