DEVOTION – DAY 353

Proverbs 16:3 “Letting God Take Charge”

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

Many people may know this verse but not many people follow it. Instead, many people make plans and set out to do what they had planned to do. When they face difficulties and obstacles, they blame others, they blame circumstances and then, they turn to God for help. They then expect God to do something to help them out. And when God does not help them immediately, they lose faith in God. Does that sound familiar? There are also people who would commit only what they think are big plans, like buying a house, to God, and they forget to commit small plans to God before they get started. This is because they think they can handle small things, leaving God to direct them on the big things. Isn’t that true?

The Bible teaches that in everything, Christians are to commit whatever they do, big or small to the Lord first. Then, God is their focus first and foremost, and it is God who is in the driving seat. He directs, and Christians follow His directions. In doing so, Christians would be moving in accordance to God’s Will for them. It will deepen their trust and dependence on God. Even when circumstances may not appear favorable, they will weather it, as they depend and trust God. The fruits of their labor will not be in vain.

This verse was a guiding principle for George Mueller, the 19th century evangelist and founder of orphan homes based in Bristol, England that gave hope to thousands of orphans and unwanted children. They were able to receive a Christian upbringing, were fed and clothed by George Mueller and his co-workers. He never received a single penny of Government aid. In everything he did, both big and small, he began by committing the matter to the Lord. Through fervent prayer, George trusted that God would answer, direct him, and provide for him. God never failed him in his many years of faithful service. Often, God’s provisions were at the 11th hour when his funds were about to run out. This only strengthened his faith in God. His total dependence on God inspired others like Hudson Taylor, who also committed to God whatever he did.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being able to commit everything we do to you. Please help us to remember to let you have the driving seat in all that we do, and trusting that your plans are always perfect for us. We humbly ask this in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are your own initial actions when you want to do something? Do you commit it to God first in everything you do? Share.
  2. Why is it important that we cultivate a habit of committing everything we do to God first? Discuss.
  3. What benefits do you think you will get when you commit everything you do first and let God direct your paths? Discuss and share some personal experiences when you did that.
  4. What are some problems you came across when you fail to commit everything you do to God first?