Life can be unpredictable, difficult, and anxiety-producing. During times like this, and really at all times, we need to ask ourselves: “Where do I focus, and in whom do I place my faith?” It has been said, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future.” This is more than a cliché; it is truth. In the next three blogs, I want to share a few life principles and key scriptures that remind me how to face the future with faith. I pray you are able to internalize the message in these three blogs and allow them to be an encouragement to you.
Life Principle #1: LIVE FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.
In James 4:13-15, we read: ”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.’ Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
A key question to ask ourselves is: What place does God have in my plans? In verse 13, James uses the metaphor of a business traveler who has no place for God in their plans. And in verse 15, James reminds us that we must not and can not live independently from God. To leave God out of our plans is an arrogant presumption. Self-sufficiency over God-reliance is bad. Independence from God vs. a declaration of dependence on God will lead to ruin. Paul lived for and relied on God in all things. And he challenges us to always condition our plans on the will of God.
So we need to affirm daily: God, Instead of our plans, we want your plans for our lives. Instead of our will, we want your will. The word “steps” is used often in the Bible to speak about our plans and the course of our lives. We are instructed to keep in step with the Will of God and to live in obedience to Him. If we do that, we will be blessed.
Consider these verses:
- Psalm 37:23 — The steps of a good (righteous) man are ordered of the Lord.
- Psalm 17:5 — My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
- Psalm 85:13 — Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
- Psalm 119:133 — Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
- Psalm 119:101-106 — I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
- Psalm 19:14 — May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
- Proverbs 20:24 — A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?
- Proverbs 16:9 — In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
- Psalm 1:1-6 — Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
- Psalm 37:31 — The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.
- Proverbs 4:25-27 — Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for you feet and be steadfast in all yours ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
God loves you and has a great plan for your life, but it is dependent upon our living in obedience to Him and following Him. This means living for Him and living to honor Him. Today, join me in recommitting your life to God and His purposes and pray this prayer with me, “Dear God, Guard my heart. Guide my steps. Grow my faith. Amen.”