Be Alert

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. – Proverbs 19:21

Joseph’s brothers hated him so much that they sold him into slavery. They could not have imagined that the Lord would use that heinous act to bring them to safety years later during the seven-year famine. Joseph’s father, Jacob (now named Israel), would come with his sons and their families to Egypt – all 70 of them – to be fed by the brother they sold (Genesis 45:4-8). When Joseph died, a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph, and who became unsettled because the people of Israel had multiplied in number and strength. He set taskmasters over the people hoping to curb their population growth, but it did not work (Exodus 1:8-12).

These are but two situations where the minds of men intended one thing, but God’s purpose had the opposite effect. Regardless of plans of the ungodly, you can count on the Lord to carry out His good and moral will. Either human’s plans will succeed or God will cancel them out. Proverbs encourages you to “listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future… The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied” (Proverbs 19:20-23). You will learn to hate what God hates, and love what He loves. Then your plans will be God’s plans.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart… in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). You can know God’s purpose for you, but you need to be alert to His guiding. Pray now for those who make decisions for this country that their hearts would be in tune with God’s leading.