In God We Trust

Church Relevance - Issue 15
January 2007
by Kent ShafferÂ

It is always a good idea to use your brain. Proverbs 13:16 (NLT) says, “Wise people think before they act.” At the same time, it is essential to understand that your mind has its limits, and consequently, you must trust God and follow His guidance to reach your full potential.

Kenneth N. Taylor beautifully describes this principle in his translation of Proverbs 28:26 - “A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe.”

Sometimes what seems like the best solution could actually hurt you. Learning new things may empower you to be more productive, innovative, and all-round more effective in ministry, but only God knows the real effect of a decision before you make it. And only God can guide you around the hidden problems that even the best book smarts can’t avoid. Consider the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt:

Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT)

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

God’s leading benefited the Israelites in two specific ways:

  1. Prevention. Instinct and sensibility probably told them to take the shortest and fastest route to the Promised Land but doing so would have led to a battle that they were unprepared to fight. God protected the Israelites from a situation that was more than they could handle.
  2. Blessings. By leading the Israelites toward the Red Sea, God set the stage to secure their freedom by destroying Pharaoh’s army in the sea. God’s leading brings unexpected blessings.

God will protect and bless us also if we trust and follow His leading. And although this principle is a fundamental part of Christianity, it is always a good reminder as we strive to become more effective in ministry that we need to use God’s leading as our compass.

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