God's Plan

        

               

I love all of Psalm 37 but especially the first several verses. David certainly had a way with words.   He wrote, “Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers, For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb”  (vs. 1-2). 

Notice his next words: “Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faith-fulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart”.  (vs. 3-4). 

But, he does not leave it there and continues: “Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Him, and He will do it.  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday.” (vs. 5-6).   

Hey Gang:  James Dobson recently said, “There are many pastors that should just get up before their sheep and read from the word.”  I can attest to that fact.  While serving as Chaplain at the Eagle Village, I learned very quickly that the troops responded much more rapidly when I shared the Scriptures with them but tended to slip away to never - never land when I tried to show them how very smart I was. 

In my efforts to develop a program for hurting children I did not have much time to visit other such places and, in reality, I  had to be spoon-fed daily by my heavenly Mentor.  But there was one man in England by the name of George Mueller who seemed to show up on my desk periodically. He had orphan children scattered throughout the city.   Mr. Mueller was a person of tremendous faith.  There were many days when he did not have the funds to care for his ever-growing family but, it was also said that his family never went to bed hungry.   

 Mr. Mueller had been meditating and the thought came that it is not only the steps, but also the stops that are ordered by the Lord.  As I thought about that, there were memories of times when God said to me, “Stop, it is time for you to glorify Me” that surfaced in my mind”.

I believe that is what David was referring to when he wrote: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way.  When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand” (vs. 23-24).

When we submit to God’s plans, we can trust our desires.  Our assignment is found at the intersection of God’s plan and our pleasures!  What do you love to do?  What brings you joy?  What gives you a sense of satisfaction?  Each of us has been made to serve God in a unique way…He did not say, ’Just you with blond hair and a dimple on your nose go into all the world and spread the Good News that Jesus stands at the door of their heart,’  He said, “all” go and be ambassadors.

So, the longings of your heart are not there by accident; they are critical messages.  The desires of your heart are not to be ignored; they are to be our guide for the day.  As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life.  God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate.

So, my good friends, be a seed planter and reach out to someone with God’s love; say “good morning” to the first person you see.  Try it, you may like it.  God will certainly like it!

Blessings,

Gramps