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- Oct 26, 2007
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For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost. Acts 20:16 CSB
Exactly where human decision-making and God’s sovereignty intersect is a topic far beyond the scope of this devotional. It’s enough to say that the two ideas exist side by side in God’s Word.
The phrase “if possible” in today’s scripture parallels a common interjection—“Lord willing”—that arises from the book of James: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’” (4:13-15).
You are free to make your own plans, though it’s wise to hold them loosely. Always add an “if possible” or “Lord willing,” spoken or otherwise, to acknowledge God’s higher authority in your life. He may overrule your pursuits for His own wise reasons…as a loving, all-knowing Father who has His son’s best interests at heart.
Prayer: Lord, I ask You to oversee my plans, and overrule them as necessary. I trust You to guide me into the best paths.
Exactly where human decision-making and God’s sovereignty intersect is a topic far beyond the scope of this devotional. It’s enough to say that the two ideas exist side by side in God’s Word.
The phrase “if possible” in today’s scripture parallels a common interjection—“Lord willing”—that arises from the book of James: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’” (4:13-15).
You are free to make your own plans, though it’s wise to hold them loosely. Always add an “if possible” or “Lord willing,” spoken or otherwise, to acknowledge God’s higher authority in your life. He may overrule your pursuits for His own wise reasons…as a loving, all-knowing Father who has His son’s best interests at heart.
Prayer: Lord, I ask You to oversee my plans, and overrule them as necessary. I trust You to guide me into the best paths.
