"A Horse Is a vain source of hope." Says Psalms,
But in contrast, David writes later in the Psalms, "With God I can scale any wall."
Isaiah 30 says, "woe to you who relies on Egypt.." and in contrast Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first His kingdom and ALL THIS will be added unto you."
I don't know how many times I've read these verses, but never have I thought about their real implications of them. Anything against God, will fail. Really, this is what it states at it's core.
So when my rebellious heart says to itself, "I'm going to do this whether God likes it or not." I lie to myself and to God, in essence I think that I myself, A mere human being could win without the help of my God.
God, all powerful, who made me is greater than anything I could ever dream up, or build, or do. Any escape plan I formulate, any tactic, or help will not stand a chance against the omnipresent, all powerful, and all knowing God.
This is really to our benefit though, and yet so often we fight it.
We all have the plans that form in our heart, about how it is we intend to get what we want, but do we stop to ask "Is this what God wants?" before we plan? Before we build, before we scheme, before we buy and before we speak, do we ask the Lord of His desires for us?
Sometimes I do, and many times I don't.
"How do YOU O LORD want me to respond?" The Lord loves to lovingly direct and respond to His children, we need only to ask. And then watch to see what He does in response to our heartfelt question and request of direction.
"I want to do the Lord's will." I've said it a million times, but do I really? What about when God asks me to do something contrary to my desires? To give something up, knowing He has something unseen by me that is better...
So instead I fight, I pull and I drag my feet, but in the end, after the struggle, and I lay myself exhausted at His feet in surrender, and I get to the goodness I fought against, I see the pointless ambition in chasing after my own desires, instead of His.
But O the great grace of God. He is so patient with me, not wanting any man to perish. So carefully He directs me, so patiently He leads me, sometimes through difficulty, but never am I alone.
If I stay close to Him, if I listen to His voice, if I lay my head on His chest and listen to the heartbeat of His direction, O the peace I live in.
Even in trial I am in peace. Even in struggle I am thankful, even when I don't get what I thought I needed.
God does know best.
I want to align my heart with His. Align my desires with His. To want what He wants. To go where He wants me to go, knowing that it's in this dangerously wonderful place that I can finally rest.
There may be a storm waging ahead, and winds that threaten to topple, odds that stack up against me with staggering force, and circumstances that would make anyone question what God was doing..but we don't question. Why? Because of God.
God is God and we are not.
"Be still and know that I am God" He says.
"Trust Me" He says. Why? Because He made us.
The rebellion of my heart astounds me at times. The waywardness of my desires flabbergasts me. But the patience of my God is what really shocks me.
He is so patient. So kind, so perfect.
He gently restores me, He teaches me, but with the best tactics. He instructs me so perfectly. And in the end, He makes me better.
He wants me to be the best version of myself.
I want to do His will. I want to be who HE wants me to be. I want to DO what He wants me to do. I want to obey. I want to live the life HE wants me to live. I want to minister where HE wants me to minister. I want to say the words HE wants me to say.
Psalms says this, "In His heart a man makes his plans, but the LORD directs His steps"
Jamie Grace sings this...."You lead, I'll follow, your hands hold my tomorrow, your will, your way, I know you've got me tenderly."
I think she says it best.
Praying earnestly that God will align your heart with His desires for you and watch as your flower unfolds. You may face trial, you may face difficulty, but woe to the man who thinks that they can succeed against the Lord.
God's forgiveness is always available, and His condemnation? It's gone when your in Christ Jesus, but don't take this as a free license to continue in your sin and rebellion.
God's grace is sufficient and His plan is perfect.
We can walk, rest and LIVE in this truth.
