TRUST
GOD TO RULE OVER HEARTS AND MINDS
It seems apparent that the
conditions in our lives are often determined by the actions and decisions of
others. While we do not overlook our own efforts, ability, competence, and
responsibility, situations usually present themselves where we are dependent upon
the actions, in-actions, or at the behest of others who are in positions either to
grant or deny us favor or what we require or desire to accomplish. They may be
our employers, superiors, teachers, supervisors, or any other functionaries or a
host of others with whom we practically interact with and happened to be placed in a position
to do or give what we desire.
In short, we are, from
the human point of view, at the mercy of the decisions or volition of others.
And there is no question that in this dynamics, we are affected by them for
good or ill.
How are we to respond
when we find ourselves seemingly in the hands of somebody, when we desperately
need something, or some favorable action, from him?
Can we trust God that
He can and will work in the heart of that individual to bring about what we
desire according to God’s will and purpose in our lives?
The Bible, God’s Word, gives
us the answer. Yes we can trust God.
God sovereignly
intervenes in the hearts and minds of people so they make decisions and carry
out actions to accomplish His purpose for our lives. God does in fact intervene
in the minds of people so that they decide and act in a certain way to
accomplish God’s plan for us. This is evident in the lives of God’s people like
Moses, Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Peter, Paul and all the others, heroes
of faith.
Proverbs 21:1 New
International Version (NIV): In
the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.
Proverbs
16:9: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs
16:33: The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Human beings decide all
kinds of ways to make a decision. They try rolling dice, and they draw lots,
and they put out pieces of cloth on the ground — whatever. The point here is
whatever means they use, it’s going to be God’s will in the end. Every decision
is from the Lord.
Proverbs
19:21: Many are the plans in the mind of man, but is the purpose of the Lord
that will stand.
Now listen, you who say, “Today or
tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business
and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen
tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and
then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the
Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)
God does move in the
hearts of people- either positively, to cause them to do His will or negatively
to restrain them from doing what is contrary to His will. God is sovereign over
all people and we are encouraged by the knowledge that God exercises His
sovereignty for our good.
So if we find ourselves
in a place where our plans, needs, requests or requirements would depend upon
the actions of other people, we should entrust them to God and pray that God
will work out His will in their hearts, to accomplish his purpose and plan for
your life.
