“Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.'” Genesis 50:19-20
“But Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God, in order that he might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought the gods of Edom. So Joash king of Israel went up, and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another in battle… And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his home. And Joash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah.., and broke down the wall of Jerusalem… And he seized all the gold and silver, and all the vessels… in the house of God… He seized also the treasuries of the king’s house, also hostages, and he returned to Samaria.” 2 Chronicles 25:20-24
“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.‘ But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.'” John 11:1-4
“My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Throughout scripture and history, man deems what’s ‘best’ and pushes with intention, and God overrides according to His superior will. The flaws and limitations of the flesh are exposed as the Lord works out His will to prove His higher and longer-viewed purposes. While man might work for good, the Lord knows what is best. Indeed, he makes his plans, but the Lord determines his steps. The mysteries of His sovereignty encompassing human determination show forth the wonders of His omniscience, goodness, and power. (Proverbs 16:9)
It is always a challenge to align my ways with the Lord’s because they do not necessarily or naturally mesh. Man is wont to competitiveness, greed, selfish motivation, while the Lord owns the big picture and His goal is our sanctification. We can keep pressing ahead, attempting to win His favor, or we can relinquish our plans to Him and trust His word and the Spirit’s leading.
Are I willing to accede that God’s ways are best, and seek them over my own? Where has He clearly directed a detour, appointed a hardship, or graciously overridden my plans, for ultimate good? When my program is frustrated, do I resist or resent, or welcome His interference as instructive, protective, and divine? How can I know His word better in order to more closely align my thinking and doing with His?
“Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
shelters you under his wings, and so gently sustaineth!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
granted in what He ordaineth?” ~Joachim Neander (1680)
Lord, illumine my thinking and desire to embrace Your high purposes, long for Your best, and live for Your honor.
As the rain and snow 