Psalm 31:14-15 CSB But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” The course of my life is in your power. . .
Does that seem an unlikely advent verse?
Question — does God have the right to interrupt my life?
Sunday School answer — of course he does! He is God! However . . .
When my plans are “interrupted” by illness, or financial difficulty, or relationship breakdown, or infertility, or unplanned pregnancy, or a prodigal child, or being overlooked or minimized at work or in ministry (and the list goes on and on) —
Do I worry? Get angry? Try to manipulate and rework and plan and revise to make things “work out as they are supposed to?”
Here is another “unlikely” Advent verse: the vineyard owner in the parable is speaking (the vineyard owner is God)
Matthew 20:15 CSB – 15 “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what is mine? Are you jealous because I’m generous? ‘
Previously we spoke of God’s plans and God’s purposes, how God’s purpose will happen, how God’s plan will not fail. God is unchanging, immutable. He never lies. He does not fail.
I am not God.
I am not the central theme of the plan.
This world, all of time, is God’s plan, of which I am a part.
Psalm 62:5-9 CSB – 5 Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. 9 Common people are only a vapor; important people, an illusion. Together on a scale, they weigh less than a vapor.
What an incredible gift of mercy and grace that God allows me to be part of His plan!! I am not merely a mindless cog in some cosmic wheel — I have dreams and plans and wishes and goals and desires . . . but I am the child of an infinite, holy, sovereign God who is always at work in the world. Sometimes His work requires that I alter my direction, or delay fulfillment of a desire, or endure suffering . . .
But God has a plan . . .
Will I trust Him?
Plea for Grace 