When Things Don't Happen The Way You Planned

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters…, so our eyes look to the Lord our God… —Psalm 123:2

“This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and be focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God and change or remove it at once.” - My Utmost For His Highest

The seed for doubtful thinking was planted in the Garden when Satan asked Eve, “Did God really say?”  Living by faith means that you are responsible to obey God and God is responsible for the events and the fruit thereof after that as you live by faith in the midst of them.  When we came to Texas, we thought that it would be an instant replay of Mississippi – NOT!  So then you ask yourself .. are we in the right place? Did God really say …. ? Dr. Henry Blackaby, in Experiencing God, wrote that knowing it’s God’s voice is not the problem .. obeying His voice is the problem. (paraphrased).  Like Peter, once you are on the water .. it is easy to look around you and take your eyes off of the One who called you out of the boat!  What is your circumstance that is testing your faith?  The first thing you should do is to be honest about your spiritual condition.  If you don’t have a clean heart … right before God .. how can you expect to be in step with God?  Second .. you must be connected to God through His Word, prayer and submission to the Spirit.  It is an easy pitfall to find yourself in when you come to expect God to do what you imagine will be done and not seek His will and His alone.  If you get a sense of satisfaction from what you are doing more than from knowing you are living in the will of God, you are on the wrong path.  Paul said that his “job” was to plant, Apollos watered .. but God brought the increase.  If God’s in it, He always brings the increase … whatever that looks like.  It’s all too easy to use man’s measures of effectiveness in making a determination as to whether the work is worthy of your effort.

Are you willing to serve with no evidence of fruit for your entire lifetime?  We do not get to dictate what the increase will look like or when it will occur.  Our obligation is go where He says go and to do what He says to do.  To live faithfully.  To focus on His will not our own. To trust Him and not ourselves.  (Proverbs 16:9) "Men make plans in their hearts, but God orders their steps" Do we know Texas is where God wants us? Yes.  Do we know what is going to happen tomorrow? No.  Men Bondye Konnen!  (But God knows!) That should be good enough for those who have laid their lives down at the foot of the Cross.  The question is ... Is it?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone