Scripture:
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)
A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV)
Not much went as I had planned yesterday. There were a couple of places I thought I was to go, a few things I thought I was to do. But as I got ready to go those places and do those things, I had one of those interruptions where I knew that my plans had been altered by my Lord. He had spoken very clearly with me about this issue before – you know, one of those times where you are very starkly aware, as one of my friends says, that “He ain’t playing.” So I went somewhere else and did something else to be in as much compliance as I could with what I believed to be the will of the Lord.
Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional reminded me of yesterday’s events. (It is available online at http://rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/09/03/devotion.aspx.) It also made me think of how God uses the things we may consider “bad” – like changes or interruptions or difficulties - for His glory, and how the things we may consider “good” aren’t always what’s best by God’s design. The last sentence said, “Even when our journey in life is marked by confinement and limitations, we can be sure that the Lord will encourage others through us as we speak His Word and trust in Him.”
Immediately, I thought of Nick Vujicic, born without arms or legs. Later two other people came to mind - David Ring, who was born with cerebral palsy, and Joni Eareckson Tada, who had a diving accident which left her a quadriplegic. All three of these people – and many more besides – have lives “marked by confinement and limitations,” but encourage others as they speak and teach the Word of God. (Also, continuing from last Sunday’s message at church, they are examples of “making the most of your talents.”)
Again, I thought of how God sees things, from His eternal, omniscient perspective. Because of my change in plans, I had the opportunity to begin reading the Sunday School lesson for this coming Sunday from The New International Lesson Annual. The reading material at the beginning of the book spoke of Christian education as transformational, and I remembered how “transformation” was a theme with me this past Lenten season. I also thought yesterday’s blog, and my plea that the Lord would help me to see as He sees. Besides the Brandon Heath song, I thought of the words from the hymn “Open my eyes that I may see,” and the song “Open the eyes of my heart.”
Lord, how I thank You that You desire to cure my “blindness” – of my eyes, of my heart. Thank You that Jesus came and was anointed to do just that, secure recovery of sight for the blind, that those who do not see may see. Thank You for the revelation that only You can give. Thank You for helping me to see as You see.
Exodus 4:11
So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?
Psalm 146:8
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous.
Isaiah 29:18
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
Isaiah 35:5
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Psalm 146 (New King James Version)
The Happiness of Those Whose Help Is the LORD
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.
8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
10 The LORD shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
... and my journey with Him continues ...
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