Scripture
Quote
- Proverbs 16:1–To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
- Proverbs 16:3–Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
- Proverbs 16:9–In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
- Proverbs 16:20–He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
- Proverbs 16:33–The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
One thing is sure: whether one makes details plans or resorts to casting lots, events and circumstances are all in God’s control. Not only are the wise cautious, but above all, they put their faith in God and not in human plans. Verse 20 sums it up, “He who carefully considers a matter will prosper and blessed is he who trust in the LORD.”
When I was younger and paid attention, I could return to a place by relying on my memory but those days are gone. Today, I use the nav system in my phone and the signs along the highway. With these two helps and a good co-pilot, I can go to places I’ve never been. Mr. Hardy and I drove the Charlotte, NC in the dark just a couple of weeks ago but we had lots of helps. The headlights on the truck were absolutely necessary for the trip but the nav system and the road signs were also important. I had never seen our destination [hotel near Samaritan Purse] and could not see it when I pulled out of the drive way but by following the light produced by my head beams and following the signs, and listening to Steve, we made it. Only a fool would attempt to make this trip without these helps. Can you imagine a man saying, “I don’t need lights, I don’t need road signs, I don’t need navagational instruments and I don’t need a co-pilot [any human assistance] because I can do this on my own.” I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting in a vehicle with such a fool. Unfortunately, some people have this same attitude about life: they ignore all the helps available and do it their way.
When it comes to the future, God has a distinct advantage: He has foreknowledge and He also has ultimate control. What it all boiled down to is this: if you believe that God is good, that He loves you and wants what is best for you–you will trust Him. If you do not believe God is good and has your best interest at heart– you will not trust Him.
I was looking for something to watch on TV last night and I came across the Gladiator. I’ve probably seen it a half dozen times. It amazes me how prophetic some of these movies are and I don’t think the creators intended it to be this way. Some things are just woven into the fabric of the universe and they have a way of coming out. Commodus, the son of Marcus Aurelius, is a sniveling coward and morally unfit to become Rome’s next emperor. He is jealous of Maximus, Rome’s heroic general. The most praise and decorated soldier in the Roman army and dearly beloved by Marcus Aurelius and the army. Commodus murders his ailing father and takes the throne. He attempts to have Maximus executed but Maximus escapes. Eventually, Maximus is captured and becomes a gladiator. As such he gets to go to Rome and perform in the Colosseum before the wicked Commodus. The crowd falls in love with Maximus and cheers him madly. Commodus is visibly shaken. He had seized the glory that Aurelius intended for Maximus and due to the depravity of the Roman people, he enjoyed a season of success but when Maximus returns to Rome as a Gladiator he takes the glory back.