GOD’S BEST ROAD

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”- PROVERBS 19:21

Iwas sure I’d get the job. Everyone said I would. The multiple interviews were going well. I had made it to the last round. I was excited, looking forward to the future I had envisioned for myself — the future I wanted. Weeks later, I was given the disappointing news that I had not been selected for the position. I was devastated.

Perhaps you have had a similar experience. The internship you wanted so badly was not offered to you; you didn’t get that job you wanted; you didn’t get that perfectly healthy child you wanted; you aren’t free from health issues; your life is different than you expected.

Our hopes in life can sometimes clash with God’s plan for us. He can see the bigger picture when we can’t. Therefore, when He doesn’t give us something we want, we must assume that He has something better in mind than the thing we can see at the moment.

God cares for His children. He doesn’t purposely make life difficult to provoke us. There’s a reason for everything, and that reason is good, not bad. We may not see why things are happening right now. The purpose might not be revealed until years down the road, or it might not be known until we get to heaven. All we are required to do is to trust in God’s plan for us, to rest assured that this road we are on is His best route for our good and His glory.

Dear Lord, forgive me for doubting your ways, which are better than mine. Give me the grace to accept the journey you have planned out for me. Amen.

Throughout this day — Perhaps you’re struggling with the route God has you on. Let go of your plans and embrace where you’re at by surrendering your desires to God’s plan for your life.

In a World of Quick, Slow Is Good

Let’s give others—and ourselves—time to learn and grow.

Ephesians 4:14-16

Have you ever gotten into the far left lane on the highway so you can move just a little faster—only to have the cars in front of you slow down? Then you’re stuck between a divider wall on your left and even slower traffic on your right, feeling frustrated and annoyed.

Sometimes we want to treat our spiritual growth like that—jumping into that fast lane to “beat” everyone else to the goal and reach our destination sooner. We think that by reading a specific book or praying a certain way, we’ll grow more quickly and get to the next thing. But then the trials of life come, and without a strong foundation—one that’s built over time and with diligence—we quickly become overwhelmed and disillusioned.

In a world of quick, remember that slow growth is a good thing. Consider today’s passage, where Paul describes believers as children who must “grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ” (v. 15). We don’t expect children to do everything like adults. It takes time for them to develop the strength, coordination, and intelligence required for “adult” tasks. When we become Christians, the process is similar. No one becomes a fully mature believer overnight—nor does God expect us to. So let’s be patient with ourselves, take the time required to “grow up,” and celebrate when we see progress in ourselves.

God’s Right Hand

…Who is at the right hand of God.

Romans 8:34

He who was once despised and rejected by men now occupies the honorable position of a beloved and honored Son. The right hand of God is the place of majesty and favor. Our Lord Jesus is His people’s representative. When He died for them, they had rest; when He rose again for them, they had liberty; when He sat down at His Father’s right hand, they had favor and honor and dignity. The raising and elevation of Christ is the elevation, the acceptance, and the glorifying of all His people, for He is their head and representative. This sitting at the right hand of God, then, is to be viewed as the reception of the Representative and therefore the acceptance of our souls.

Believer, this is why you are free from condemnation. “Who is he that condemneth?” [KJV]. Who will condemn those men who are in Jesus at the right hand of God?

The right hand is the place of power. Christ at the right hand of God has all the power in heaven and on earth. Who will fight against the people who have such power vested in their Captain? My soul, what can destroy you if Omnipotence is your helper? If the protection of the Almighty covers you, what sword can harm you?

Be sure of this: If Jesus is your all-prevailing King and has trampled your enemies beneath His feet, if sin, death, and hell are all defeated by Him, and you are represented in Him, there exists no possibility of your being destroyed.

Jesus’ tremendous name
Puts all our foes to flight:
Jesus, the meek, the angry Lamb,
A Lion is in fight.

By all hell’s host withstood;
We all hell’s host o’erthrow;
And conquering them, through Jesus’ blood
We still to conquer go.