Following God's Plan No Matter What
We are entering a new year and many of us are making goals and commitments to see certain things accomplished in our lives. Those might be physical, emotional, or spiritual in nature, but have you ever made a commitment to follow what you thought was God's plan for your life only to find, in the midst of pursuing it, a series of obstacles and events seemed to take you off course? It seemed like you were getting further away from what you thought God was wanting for your life to do. I am sure many of us have been at that place in our lives multiple times, but the question remains: Does our commitment to God change when things no longer seem to pursue what we think is God's plan? God gives us an example of this in the life of Gideon.
In Judges, chapter 6, God calls Gideon to fight the Midianites. Reluctantly Gideon decides to follow God's plan. However, in chapter 7, he is quickly taken back when God says in verse 2, "... The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, ..." God had a definite plan and direction for Gideon's life, but in Gideon's mind, it was safe to assume that this new information would have come in conflict with what God said He wanted Gideon to do. Gideon had to trust in God's understanding of what the situation needed and not trust in his own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 are very familiar verses to most, but probably some of the hardest verses to live by. They say this, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Gideon had to trust what God wanted to do, while staying committed to what God promised He would do. This is a great reminder for us when circumstances challenge our commitment to God's plan and direction for our lives.
Surprisingly, in verse 4, God gives Gideon another statement that went against what Gideon thought was God's plan. God limits his resources once again and says, "... The people are yet too many; ... of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go." Gideon's commitment was once again challenged. Gideon had to evaluate himself and be willing to submit to God's design and plan rather than his own. So many times we go into circumstances assuming they will work out a particular way when, in reality, God allows for something else. Often times this is to see if we are willing to submit and stay committed to His plan and direction rather than our own.
In verse 18, the end of the story speaks of a great victory that was won by "... The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon." This story was for the purpose of letting all the world know that God won the victory and for Him to receive glory from His people. When circumstances in your life seem to stray from what you perceive to be God's plan, know that God is still working His plan. We need to simply remain committed by trusting in His understanding, rather than our own, and submitting to His almighty plan. When all is said and done, God will win the victory and He will receive glory.
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Written by Andy Horner |