Tag: Proverbs 16:9
Day 4–God Sets our Boundaries
Scripture reading for April 9: Acts 17:25-29 “. . .since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for “In Him we live and move and have our being’;. . .”
Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Man makes plans and often arrogantly thinks that he is the master of his own life and is in control. He sees no need for God and relegates those who seek God’s plans to ancient history. But Scripture teaches us the truth. God is the life-giver to all creatures including man. God also made from one man every nation and tongue who live on the earth. Scripture states that God sets the boundaries of each person’s habitation on earth. He determines our address and the length of time we will reside there.
As we feel our way along through life’s hills and valleys, God draws us to Himself, and His goodness leads us to repentance and life. As Paul states, God is not far from each of us. We are like fish in an ocean of God. Yet He does not overwhelm us or force us to know Him. True love must be freely given. God demonstrates this love through the giving of His Son.
As responders, a biblical world view that recognizes God’s nearness and good plans to help all mankind enables us to rest in God while we work. The fact that God made us all from one man means that we are all on level ground, there are no big ‘I’s or little ‘you’s’. Each person is precious and made in God’s image. God has and is setting boundaries for each person. When we face death, we understand that God is there and has the final say. We do the best we can with what God provides and trust Him for outcomes. Even when our plans get diverted in unexpected ways, we can and must trust God is ordering our steps for His purposes.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are in control of all things. Help me to recognize Your direction of my steps and the steps of those I am sent to help. Help me to treat each person as special and demonstrate the love of our amazing Father. Amen.
Sheep among wolves: no worries!
Scripture reading for April 19th: Matthew 10, Psalm 78, Proverbs 16
Matthew 10: 16-20 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for My sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Jesus had called His disciples and given them training through having them follow Him and observe His actions and heart. In this chapter, Matthew describes Jesus sending out the twelve to minister in His authority. He warned them that they were going out as “sheep among wolves.” This required wisdom and discernment to be aware of the plots of men to hinder their mission and ministry. This was spiritual warfare that required faith and understanding. The opposition would attack them and imprison them, but they were not to live in fear but to trust the Holy Spirit to speak through them in these situations. God was at work as they walked in trust and faith under the Spirit’s guidance and control.
Psalm 78:5-7 “He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; . .”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit to live within me and give me directions for each day and even the words needed for dealing with each person You send me to. Help me to teach first my own family Your truths and Word and then to faithfully share with others to accomplish my part of Your plan that all be saved and know You personally. Order my steps today.
Proverbs 16:1, 9 “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” . . .”The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”