Man proposes but God disposes
Thomas a Kempis. Wrote the second most widely read Christian text after the Bible itself the Imitation of Christ. It contains many sensitively and wisely expressed insights into spirituality and morals.
In Chapter 19 of Book 1 we find:
"For the resolutions of the just depend rather on the grace of God than on their own wisdom; and in Him they always put their trust, whatever they take in hand. For man proposes, but God disposes; neither is the way of man in his own hands".
In other words - People can make plans; God determines how things will turn out.
How does this apply to us?
Most of us wanted to be something when we were younger, maybe you dreamed of being a fireman, a doctor, movie star, or a truck driver like my younger brother. I dreamed of having a family to love, and being loved by them.
It’s safe to say that we have planed our course in life, and some of our dreams have come true, and some haven’t.
Today I believe we will see that man can make plans and have dreams, but in the end he can do no more and no less than what God intends.
God has a purpose for each of us and a plan to use each of us.
Prov 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
A. In the final analysis, it is always God’s designs and not man’s plans that are being advanced
B. Man goes to great length to plan his career, but the LORD alone determines whether these plans ever come to pass.
1. Saul of Tarsus planned to persecute the Christian saints in Damascus but ended up becoming one of them!
a) Here was a man who took God seriously, who knew God would have the last word, and who sought to align himself with God’s will..
b) He lived by another proverb..
Proverbs 3:5,6.. 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.
2. Onesimus planned to leave Philemon forever but God brought him back on better terms than ever.
a) It is Suggested that he had stolen from Philemon
Philemon 10-19 NIV
10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self.
b) but better than a slave, as a dear brother
c) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord
3. Jonah had One idea, God had another
a) Jonah wanted the Ninevites to perish
b) NINEVEH (City of Nin) was the capital of the ancient kingdom and empire of Assyria
c) Johan was concerned with what he wanted, and not what God wanted
d) God used Jonah as a too for their restoration.
4. Joseph was sold into slavery, but God used him in a great and mighty way
In the eyes of his older brothers, Joseph was a spoilt child, the favorite of his father. One day they ‘took it out’ on him. They seized him when he came out into the fields and sold him to a slave trader. He was taken to Egypt. There he became the Pharaoh’s right hand man. A famine hit the whole land. Only Egypt had food. His brothers went down to Egypt for help and it was Joseph they had to deal with. They did not recognize him but Joseph recognized them and eventually made himself known to them.
a) In Genesis 45:4-7 we read.. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “But God sent me ahead of you.”
Later.. he said to them..
b) Genesis 50:19,20.. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
We don’t understand why God does something seemingly different, or does not do what we think he should do. But thank God his ways are higher than our ways!
1. God Can use A simple hat to direct our Steps
GOD’S HAT TRICK
Richard Storrs and Gordon Hall were students at the same theological seminary. One Saturday near the end of the semester, Hall was preparing to go to Braintree, Massachusetts, to preach, hoping that he might receive an invitation to become their pastor. That afternoon as he was splitting some wood, his hat fell beneath the axe and was destroyed. He didn’t have the money to replace it and the weather was bitter cold, so he asked his friend to take the assignment. Storrs preached and was offered the job. He accepted it, and he remained the minister of that parish until his dying day—a period of more than half a century!
Hall, although disappointed, sought other outlets for his talents. He went to India and became the first American missionary to Bombay. He was quite influential in the Indian missions movement. No one who believes in divine providence will for a moment doubt that God stationed Storrs at Braintree and Hall in India. By means of that ruined hat, the courses of two lives were changed. Nevertheless, in God’s divine will, the good news was proclaimed.
2. God Can use major event like a torpedo attack to direct our steps
Brother George Honeycutt tells a real life adventure story about a friend of his who refused to surrender to preach the word of God.
During WWII his friend was aboard a destroyer in the North Atlantic, when torpedoes were spotted rapidly approaching his ship. His Friend prayed “Lord I’ll preach the word of God if you protect us”
At that very moment a rogue wave came from no ware and lifted the bow of the ship enabling the torpedoes to pass under without destroying them. His friend surrendered faithfully to the call.
1. Because of this physical and spiritual lives were saved.
2. His friend would always sing after this: Victory in Jesus.
3. God can use unexpected changes, which are opportunities in disguise.
--Dave Branon tells this story:
They were in the right place, on the wrong day. Or so it would seem.
The Dayspring Chorale, a traveling high school singing group, arrived at a nursing home for a Thursday concert. However, the folks at the home were expecting them on Friday. But they said if the group could get set up fast, they could sing for 20 minutes. Then they’d have to stop for a memorial service for one of the residents.
The chorale hurriedly got ready and sang, and as they did, the son of the man who had died heard them. When they were done, he asked if they could sing at his dad’s service. They gladly agreed and ministered hope and truth to all who attended. God used these young people in a special way--all because of a secretarial error. But was it a mistake?
We carefully make schedules so we can be where we think we should be.
But we always need to keep in mind the words of Solomon, "A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Prov. 16:9).
Do we seek ministry in life’s unplanned schedule changes? Do we turn detours into guided tours of what He wants to do through us? If we’re doing God’s will, we’ll be in the right place.
Then, wherever we are, we can point people to Him.
4. There is an element of mystery and uncertainty in following God’s footsteps.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who was a leader in the resistance to Hitler and was executed just before the War was over, knew personally both the uncertainty and cost of discipleship. Bonhoeffer wrote the following words from the perspective of Jesus.
"Discipleship is not limited to what you can comprehend-it must transcend all comprehension. Plunge into the deep waters beyond your own comprehension, and I will help you to comprehend even as I do…. Not to know where you are going is the true knowledge. My comprehension transcends yours. Thus Abraham went forth from his father and now knowing whither he went."
When we add loving our neighbor and loving our enemies to "loving one another", the doing of it gets really tough. It is still a matter of doing but it is also a matter that is beyond our comprehension. We must deny our self and follow Jesus. If we stay solely within our own human resources and capabilities, we will not be up to the task.
Application
Prov 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
1. If we run from God’s voice and desire, He will interfere in order to bring us back to His will and plan.
His call is for us to come to him and cooperate with him to accomplish his purposes, his plans, and his steps with his ability, his strength.
2. There is a goal He desires you to accomplish. You can begin this process today, taking positive steps toward your calling.
3. Positive steps of Persistence.
Achieving your call is a process. It can be compared to batter in a major league game. He begins by swinging his bat on home plate.
His calling is to make his way all the way around the basses. His immediate calling is to hit the ball and make it to first base.
But he won’t achieve his ultimate calling until he gets all the way around again and crosses home plate.
Step by step, we move from base to base. As we do we are fulfilling our calling. Ultimately, scoring a run is to hear Jesus say:
Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23).
