Walk Of Life – Day 16 – February 2022 – Thoughts From The Book Of Proverbs – Love!
Love to be directed by the LORD
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Every man’s life is a journey during which one has to make right choices, take decisions, and make plans for the future. During this journey, we come across challenges and crossroads where we need to take the correct decisions and right turns to reach our destination. We often seek advice from our family members, friends, or fellow believers to make sure that we are heading in the right direction. But still sometimes we drift away from God’s plan knowingly or unknowingly due to relying on our own strength and knowledge.
We can see from the life of Saul of Tarsus how he made his plans and used his power to fulfill his ambition as a religious leader. But God’s plan for him was to preach the gospel to the world. Trained under Gamaliel the Pharisee, he was a man thorough in the Jewish law and was fervent in protecting its religious beliefs. During the same time, the disciples of Jesus were preaching the Gospel and many including Jewish priests were coming to Christian faith. To stop this conversion, Saul started persecuting believers, putting them in prison. He also allowed the stoning of the disciple Stephen to death.
Gamaliel had warned the Sanhedrin to leave the disciples alone. But Saul disobeyed Gamaliel’s advice, took permission from the high priest and went ahead to imprison the believers in Damascus. On the way to Damascus, he had an encounter with Jesus Christ which changed his future direction. He was blinded for three days during which he spent fasting and praying till a disciple named Ananias came and prayed for him. Jesus restored his sight and reveals through Ananias that he was a chosen instrument to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and their Kings.
Although Saul made his plans to persecute the Christian believers, God directed his steps into becoming Apostle Paul to preach Gospel to the nations. He then travelled to many cities preaching the good news and planting churches. During his ministry the Jews conspired to kill him, he was beaten several times to the point of death and was imprisoned too. Yet through suffering he was able to say “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21
Like Paul, we are also chosen by God for a unique purpose. From the time He saves us, He guides us through the Holy Spirit to be in the center of HIS will. At times when we drift away from HIS plans, God intervenes through various ways to fulfill HIS plans. “For I know the plans I have for you, “ declares the LORD “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11. So when we submit our plans to HIM, HE will make our paths straight and prosper us to make us a blessing to many.
