TRUST GOD TO RULE OVER HEARTS AND MINDS

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.

THE ONE WHO LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN

From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

-Psalm 33:13-15  (New International Version)

Mankind today seem to be generally oblivious to the fact that there is One supremely greater and higher who governs this world. God is in control of life’s events even though we may not be aware of it. Man has been too focused on his capacity to achieve everything, transcending limitations, and trusting in his potentials. 

Man’s success in the world’s progress deludes him to believe he doesn’t need to appeal to God in the way he lives. He doesn’t fear nor stand in awe of the God of creation, and some even deny that God exists.

The Psalmist  declares in no uncertain terms that God is looking down from Heaven seated in His glorious throne. He sees the whole human race. We can only marvel at what is implied in this vision. 

God looks at the entire human race, and  nothing is hidden from His sight. Man may think he has been let alone to pursue his own devises, but God knows everything. The Almighty orchestrates the events and the seemingly unrelated circumstances by the counsel of His own will. He oversees all things.   He observes from His heavenly throne all who live on earth and   the things  they do.

Man may think he is in control. Rulers and government leaders may think they are in control in running the affairs of their nations. It only seems that way. God’s sovereignty is real. No one can thwart His plans. Reduced to the miniscule we are like ants in the sight of God, which march to and fro, and He sees what we’re up to.