Who's In Control

Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Have you ever felt that life was completely out of YOUR control? Have you planned and planned, yet nothing seemed to work out the way you thought it would?

Proverbs 16:9a - A man's heart deviseth his way...: Man is constantly "devising" or planning. Webster defines the word devise as "to plan, to obtain or to bring about." The world, and sadly many Christians, find great security in the devising that they do. Unfortunately, there always seems to be a diversion in the plans that we make. Ever wonder why that is?

The second half of Proverbs 16:9 says "BUT the LORD directeth his steps." This means that we can plan all that we want to, BUT THE LORD will direct our steps. We often don't end up where we planned because God had another plan. From here we could talk about Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:", however, that is not the direction I wish to go.

Why does God often direct our steps in a direction different than what we planned. Sure, we know Romans 8:28, but WHY? God did this same thing to the children of Israel when they were fleeing Egypt.

Exodus 13:17 - And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, ALTHOUGH THAT WAS NEAR; for God said, LEST peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Exodus 13:18 - BUT GOD LED the people about, THROUGH the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

Notice in the above verses that God did not allow them go the easy way. Of course, this is the way most of us would have planned to go out, but God led His children to take the difficult path. The way of the wilderness. Ever been there? Are you there now? Why does God allow us or LEAD us through the wilderness.

First, God knows our faith is weak. Notice again in Exodus 13:17 that God did not allow them to take the easy path for fear that they would repent, or turn back, when they saw war. God knew their faith was not strong enough to keep them going when the going got tough.

How many times would we forget about our God if the path was always easy? Our faith is weak, or should I say, our relationship with our Saviour is not strong enough or intimate enough to keep our attention when all is smooth sailing. God leads us in the wilderness to increase our faith and dependance upon Him.

Second, God deserves, and orchestrates His own honor. Exodus 14:4 "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; (notice God is sending the Egyptian Army after His children) and I WILL BE HONOURED UPON PHARAOH, AND UPON ALL HIS HOST; that the EGYPTIANS MAY KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD. And they did so.

The children of Israel had to feel pretty forsaken. They left their homes to follow Moses and now it seemed as if they were trapped and doomed to die. All this in the way that GOD LED them. However, we see God desired to be honored above Pharaoh and his host.

Last, to be a witness to the lost. Notice in verse 14:4 it says "....that the Egyptians (the lost world) may know that I am the Lord. Can you imagine the talk back in Egypt after Pharaoh and his army were completely desimated? Could there have been any doubt that Jehovah God, the God of the Israelites, was truly the Lord.

We will stop here, but we know that God led them through the wilderness and provided a way of escape. So when you feel that you don't understand God's leading, remember, He is trying to increase your faith, bring honor to himself and exalt Himself before a lost and dying world.

Psalm 37:23&24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: FOR THE LORD UPHOLDETH HIM WITH HIS HAND. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

REMEMBER - IT'S IN THE KING JAMES!!!!