Posted on 08/16/2019 6:11:02 AM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).
“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good,” that’s just good common sense, isn’t it? If you handle matters of life wisely, the finances, dealing with the children, dealing with other people, dealing with business matters, matters of social concern—if a man handles them wisely, shall find good. It is another instance of reaping what we sow.
“. . . and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he,” the reason that a lot of Christians are not happy is that they just haven’t learned to trust the Lord for the things of life. There is a lot of this business in Christianity, today, about goal setting. I realize that we ought to strive for perfection. Paul said he pressed toward the mark. He had a goal of pleasing God. But we have to be careful about setting goals in this life. Too often we are pushing our wills instead of simply accepting God’s will.
There is a lot of goal-oriented Christian endeavors. Now, we believe that “where there is no vision, the people perish,” so we ought to desire to see our city saved and have other lofty goals in our service for God. We ought to live the best life that we can, being an example for others to want to live for God. When we set goals, though, without God’s leadership we often find ourselves resorting to carnal devices in order to reach those goals. We’ll be much happier if we just trust in the Lord.
If you want to set a goal, Hebrews 12 gives a worthy model: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Set a goal to be more like Jesus. Try to apprehend Him, and the power of His suffering.
Another great goal would be, “Lord, help me to win all the people as I can to You this year,” and if you win one—and you are fully yielded to the Holy Spirit, then you have met your goal.
Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!
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