(03.15.22--Who's In Control? -1 Kings 19:1-18)
My friend, may I ask you a question? We may propose solutions that seem to be right for the moment. Yet, in the end, if it isn't what God, in his sovereign power wills to happen, can you be assured that it will happen our way?
My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I'm M. Clifford Brunner.
Here's a story: At thirty-two years of age William Cowper thought he knew exactly what he needed to do. Passing through a great crisis in his life, he tried to end his life by taking laudanum. Then he hired a coach and was driven to the Thames River, intending to throw himself into the river; but some persistent power seemed to restrain him. The next morning he fell upon a knife, but the blade broke and his life was saved again. He then tried to hang himself, and was cut down unconscious but still alive. Then one morning, in a moment of strange cheerfulness, he took up his Bible and read a verse in the Letter to the Romans. In a moment he received strength to believe, and rejoiced in the forgiving power of God. Some years later, after he had passed through a rich Christian experience and had written many beautiful hymns, Cowper sat down one day and summed up his faith in God's dealings with him, and with other men, in the great hymn on divine providence: "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright design, And works his sovereign will." (McCartney's Illustrations, page 288.)
"Man proposes, but God disposes." We may propose many brilliant and not so brilliant solutions in our lifetime; solutions that just seem to be so right and appropriate for the moment. Yet, in the end, if it isn't what God, in his sovereign power wills to happen, you can be assured that it won't. No matter how hard we try to assume the role of God in our own lives and those of others, we will never be able to put ourselves on his level. He's always in control. The prophet Elijah really thought that he knew what God should do when it came to the fate of His people Israel. He complained that God had put him into a no-win situation with a hopelessly lost people. They couldn't and wouldn't be saved. Elijah was so sure that he, and only he, was the last believer alive, that he planned to die and make an end to it altogether. He knew the right course of action and believed that he had a full understanding of the situation. God, however, showed Elijah that He and only He has an understanding of the situation. The gap between what Elijah believed as truth and what God demonstrated was the truth was vast. Yet, Elijah, blinded by his own anger, failed to see the truth. The truth was far from him because his emotions ruled his heart. Have you ever felt that way about God; you just know that if He only did this or that, your troubles would be eliminated? Then, without warning, something even worse happens and now you find yourself standing in God's corner, chastened as He whispers wisdom into your heart. At times like that it's best to "Be still and know that God is God and all things are under His feet while yours are barely touching the ground!
We pray. Heavenly Father, We often feel that we just know how to solve many of our problems if we just think it through and apply all the knowledge and willpower that we have to overcome the issues. Forgive us when we ignore the obvious: Your perfect understanding and love for us to change the problem into nothing more than a blessed opportunity. We forge ahead anyway and then, without warning, something even worse happens and now we find ourselves standing in Your corner, chastened as You whisper wisdom into our heart. At times like this we know it's best to "Be still and know that You were God and all things are under Your feet while ours are barely touching the ground!
In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”
<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.