Proverbs 20:24
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?
How can a man understand his way apart from the Lord who works all things for his glory and purposes? The secular philosopher, despite his intellectual prowess, takes the wrong first “step” in his contemplation as he tries to understand his way. One may build insight upon insight, but if the foundation is not the Word of God, it is but a make-believe building.
Our own lesson as Christians is to accept that the mystery of God’s secret counsels and his way of ordering man’s steps is beyond our ability to understand. How is it that we will make our decisions today about the steps we take and every step will serve God’s purpose? How is it that today we will ponder how to answer someone, what weighty decision to make and then later look back and acknowledge God’s purpose in what took place?
Even then we will not have full insight. It is good to explore the ways of God and of man. But it is critical to do so in humility; even more so to do it in trust – trust that God is good and in control. If you are tempted to doubt, then look to the Cross; for there is the mystery of election and freedom, of wrath and mercy, of violence and justice, of sin and love; there is the mystery of God’s way that is higher than ours as the heavens are higher than the earth.
Psalm 16
Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.