by Os Hillman
"Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no'?" 2 Corinthians 1:17
The
apostle Paul was discussing his plans to come to the church at Corinth.
He was acknowledging the serious nature of his trip and informing the
Corinthians that he did not flippantly come to this decision to visit
them. It was a matter that had been given serious prayer, not one made
in the spur of the moment.
Planning from God's view is a process.
It isn't merely an exercise in reason and analysis. It requires
entering into the mind of Christ together with our minds to determine
which course to take. In the Old Testament, the priests wore
breastplates with the Urim and Thummim in a pouch on their breasts. It
was like a roll of dice that the priests were required to perform to
know which direction they were to take on a matter. It was the ultimate
release of all decisions into God's hand. God did not want the priests
to rely on their own intellects for final decisions.
We have an
uncanny ability to make decisions based on our own needs and wants.
However, God desires that we seek Him to know His plans for us. David
was a skilled warrior who never lost a battle. He consulted God on every
decision. He knew the results of the battle rested in God's hand. So,
if he was to gain victory, he had to know God's mind on the matter.
Sometimes
this requires more time given to the process in order to hear His
voice. Sometimes it may even require fasting and prayer. Sometimes it
may require input from other godly friends.
Are you a man or
woman who makes decisions based on God's purposes for your life? Do you
take every major decision and put it before the throne to determine
God's mind on the matter? If so, you will avoid making decisions in a
worldly manner.
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