Devotion for August 7, 2008

God and Man Hand in Hand

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)

This man of course is not a wicked man for God does not direct his steps to the kingdom. Rather the child of God is directed in the way of righteousness. God in His sovereignty directs the path of His children without doing harm to secondary means.

A believer’s choices are secondary means. He plans, prays, and worships willfully. Yet somehow, miraculously God controls the believer’s going in and out. God protects and chastens as He sees fit to bring His children into His glorious kingdom: God and man hand in hand.

What a glorious thought to think that Jesus is involved in one’s life. Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Rom. 8:31). Certainly, the believer can rejoice that God has not left him alone to find his own way, but has promised to complete the work He has begun (Philippians 1:6).

My dear friends take a moment to praise the Lord for His loving care. Count your blessing as the song says, “Name them one by one.” Do not fret over the difficult task that is before you. “. . . God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV).

Yes the child of God is truly blessed with a guarantee of success. God will not lose one of His children. God will not allow one slip, but will make the believer’s path certain. Even when the believer makes a poor choice, God will use it for his own good. For, “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 NKJV).