Guided by Circumstances
There’s a fine line between foolishness and trust. They are differentiated by the object of our trust. If we’re trusting fate or karma or universal randomness, we are fools because in essence we’ve said, “there is no God.” (Psalm 53:1) On the other hand, if we’re trusting in the One God, creator of heaven and earth, the One who knows the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10), then we make our plans, we’re disciplined to work them, but we have no control over the outcome. Our faith in this God allows us to go with the flow and not become disillusioned when our plan doesn’t work the way we want it to, knowing there’s something better waiting. Because of this, we can still be filled with God’s peace.
How can this be?
Our natural reaction would be frustration, maybe anger, and likely discouragement over wasted time and money. But that’s the problem. That would be our natural reaction. The Bible says, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.” (1 Cor. 2:14)
If we know Jesus as our Savior, then we have the Spirit of God living in us and we can accept God’s solutions and God’s circumstances confident that God is watching our “six” and He doesn’t allow anything that isn’t in our best interest and for His glory. It may not seem like it when we’re in the trial, but that’s the difference between trusting God and just hoping for the best. If we knew how something would turn out before it began, it would be cheating. But knowing the One Who not only knows but controls how everything turns out isn’t. It’s called faith.
I love the Book of Genesis.
It’s a must read for anyone who wants to see into the heart of God. Abraham was known as a friend of God (Isa. 41:8) because of his faith. When he was old and knew his days were numbered, he sent his servant back to his country and relatives to find a wife for Isaac. When the servant got there, he had no idea where to look. So he asked God to show him by suggesting a specific response from the right girl. He had done all Abraham asked in making the trip and he didn’t want to disappoint his master. Rebekah, God’s choice as Isaac’s wife and the answer to the servant’s prayer, came on the scene even before the servant had finished praying. Not only did she have the correct response, but she was also very beautiful (Gen. 24:16).
The Bible has account after account of men and women of faith, Abel, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joshua, Esther, Daniel, Moses and many others. So what’s the point? We don’t have to sweat the small (or big) stuff when we place our trust in the only One who is trustworthy, faithful, and has the power and ability to calm storms, shut the mouths of lions, and make the shadow on the steps go backward ten steps (Isa. 38:8).
How does this apply to me today?
God is the same God as He was in the Old Testament. Hasn’t diminished with age. He knows us by name. And He wants to bless us every morning (Lam. 3:22,23). But we have to do it on His terms. We have to believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to a relationship with God, that He lived, died, and was resurrected on our behalf, paying the price of our sin that we could never pay. If we have done that, then we can be assured that whatever circumstances God allows in our life are better than our best plan. But don’t stop planning and working. It’s been said that God will not steer a ship anchored in the harbor.