Have you ever asked God what the plans are for your life? Do you want to know what the future holds for you or for your family? Are you in the middle of a transition and are seeking out answers to your questions?
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
I think a lot of us are always asking questions and seeking out what the future holds for us. As believers, we know God is on His throne and would admit that with our words, but do we live in such a way that backs that up?
God has been working on me lately and showing me how much I struggle with this. It’s been a humbling process recently, but God has been revealing just how much I like to be in control. He’s been showing me how much I like to have “my plans” and know what “my future” holds, and how much of that doesn’t include God at all. In reality, there are times I live as my own god.
What about you?
I’ve had to be reminded over and over again by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) that God has already given us instructions. God has already promised us how He will establish our steps (Proverbs 16:9) regardless of whatever our plans are. I realized this recently…think about this…God establishes our steps…
Taking Steps Reveals Where Our Faith Is
There’s nothing for God to establish if we haven’t taken steps. Taking steps says a lot about ourselves and our faith in God.
Imagine someone who is sitting on the couch, asking for God to establish their steps, and they just sit there. They’ll probably start complaining over time that God isn’t doing anything in their life and plans aren’t clear, but they’ll just sit there. After awhile of just sitting there, their faith might start to fade and then they might start to doubt even more. This person isn’t acting on any faith at all.
Now imagine another person. They are sitting on the couch. They ask God to establish their steps. Even with them not really hearing from The Lord (or at least they think that’s the case) they decide to get up, and at least take some steps towards what they think they should be doing. They believe that if they at least make some decisions and take some steps, God will establish them and move them in the right direction. This person is acting on faith that even though they don’t have all the answers, they are going to do something, and they will trust that God will direct their path.
There’s nothing for God to establish if we don’t take any steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
The Cross Should Encourage Us To Take Steps
What Jesus did on the cross is amazing. The penalty He paid for past, present, and future sins and rising from the dead to defeat death and sin in victory should encourage us and grow us in our faith. How could it not?
When we look to Jesus, we know how to live because He is our example. When reflecting on what Jesus has done for us, it should encourage us to be faithful disciples, including always taking steps and trusting God will establish us. God knows anything and everything and is still on His throne today. Nothing has changed about that or will ever change about that.
If He is the one who is truly in control, then trust Him, have faith, and take steps…today.
Questions: What steps do you need to take in your life today? What is holding you back…yourself? Fear? Doubt? Trust God to establish your steps by taking steps…after all…you trust Him for your salvation for all eternity…why not for taking steps today?
Amen. If we are not willing to take a step, we have no rights to complain about God not doing anything in our life.
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Awesome, thanks so much for sharing Nirman!