Allow room for God to work

“I’ve got to do this,” he insisted. “If I don’t, everything will fall apart.”  He knew the choice he was about to make was not aligned with the Christian principles he had been taught.  But, he was certain it was the only way to solve the  problem.  So, he shut the door on the Lord.  A few weeks later, he was crying on the phone, asking me to pray.  “I wish I could go back and do things differently!”   Choosing expedience over obedience is nothing new. 

The first book in the Bible, Genesis, tells the story about an ‘expedient’ choice that left no room for God.  Abraham concluded that since Sarah was too old to have the son God has promised to him, he needed to follow the ancient custom of fathering an heir with her servant, Hagar. His intellect provided him an answer to his dilemma but it wasn't the plan of God. Terrible chaos resulted from his choice to figure out his own way to fulfill God's promise!  Ishmael was a beloved son, but his birth created awful conflict between Sarah and Hagar.  Several years later when God gave Sarah the miraculous ability to conceive and bear Isaac, the rivalry within the family only deepened, tearing them apart for generations.

There are probably decisions you would like to go back and re-visit.  What seemed to be “the only way,” the obvious choice, created unforeseen consequences. I am thankful for the wonderful faculties of reason that allow me to plan and strategize, but even the wisest of the wise, is limited to using the information available to him. Only God knows the rippling effects of our choices.  He cautions us about becoming 'wise in our own eyes.' We must not exclusively trust in our intellect if we hope to live in a way that pleases Him. In a time of great challenge, the Lord spoke to the prophet Isaiah reminding him - "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT) 


In your plans, do you submit to His principles and allow room for the Lord to work? When we are facing multiple options and lack clear direction this simple advice is a clear guide:  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

There are three pre-conditions to being led by the Spirit taught to us in that passage.

First, trust God completely. Make Him the center of your life.


Second, "Don't try to figure everything out on your own!"

Third, God's direction can only emerge when we consistently make the choice to honor Him with obedience.

If we are refusing to follow the Lord's lead in those areas where He has already made His will plain, we should not think we will be able to clearly discern His way for our lives.

Simple obedience is the most basic evidence of deep faith! Need guidance today? Me, too!  Don’t turn God into a personal genie, waiting for the crisis to call on Him. Don’t go your own way and then beg Him to get you out of the mess you’ve made of things.  Trust, wait, listen, obey – and He will make your way clear.

Take this word to heart today. May the Lord use His Word to inspire you.


"So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!  This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What’s next, Papa?"  God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!  We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!" (Romans 8:12-17, The Message)
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Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
feed me 'til I want no more,
feed me 'til I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar,
guide me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield,
Be Thou still my strength and shield.


- public domain


Amen.