Divine Destinies

Day Forty-one

Divine Destinies  (Read Proverbs 16:1-9)

"We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast, but when we say this, we imagine that hour as being placed in an obscure and distant future. It never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day already begun or that death could arrive this same afternoon, this afternoon which is so certain and which has every hour filled in advance." ~ Marcel Proust

What is your destiny? Despite your choices in life, living for yourself, or God's ambitions, God has a plan and will use your life and demonstration as a means to an end. Do you believe this? Today, our wisdom teaching will drive this point home: regardless of how we choose to live, God will use it for his glory and plans one way or another. For example, in the Bible, there are stories; some are examples, and others are warnings. Wisdom strongly suggests that if your story ends up in a book in the future, make sure they use it as an example and not a warning.

In the embroidery of human existence, individuals often find themselves at the crossroads of intention and circumstance, weaving their plans for the future. Whether through career ambitions, personal relationships, or broader life goals, pursuing purposeful direction is fundamental to the human experience. Yet, amid our meticulous planning and unwavering determination lies a profound truth: the outcome is influenced by our choices and forces beyond our control. This paradox is beautifully summarized in the wisdom found in today's spiritual teachings, where it is said that "While humans are responsible for planning their way, the LORD's purposes will ultimately be established."

16 We can make our own plans,
    but the Lord gives the right answer.

² People may be pure in their own eyes,
    but the Lord examines their motives.

³ Commit your actions to the Lord,
    and your plans will succeed.

⁴ The Lord has made everything for his own purposes,
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.

⁵ The Lord detests the proud;
    they will surely be punished.

⁶ Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
    By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

⁷ When people's lives please the Lord,
    even their enemies are at peace with them.

⁸ Better to have little, with godliness,
    than to be rich and dishonest.

⁹ We can make our plans,
    but the Lord determines our steps.

In Proverbs 16:4, we learn that the Lord has made everything for his own purpose, even making evil things and using them strategically. This truth foreshadows Jesus' inclusion of Judas among the twelve closest disciples. Judas, hand-picked, becomes the one who would later betray him (Mark 3:13-19; John 6:70; Matthew 26:24-25).

The wonderful thing is that God is moving this universe according to His plan and purpose. The Greeks had a proverb: "The dice of the gods are loaded." We see this in today's wisdom teaching. Whether you like it or don't like it, God says, "Don't gamble with Me. Don't act as if I don't exist." You can choose to live as if God doesn't exist and fall prey to the delusion that you can rest satisfaction out of this universe if you only manage it well. But God is firm and clear: you will lose if you start gambling with Me. God announces throughout Scripture that this is My universe, and I make the dice to come up My way, not your way. "My dice are loaded—I already know how they are coming up, and you don't." The thing for us to do is to get in step with God.

Regardless of how you have lived your life up to this point, it is never too late to surrender and turn your will and life over to the care of God; God desires nothing more than to be in a relationship with you and for you to embrace His design for living. Despite your decision, God will use your life for his glory as an example or a warning. Your actions will determine your destiny on earth and in heaven. I hope you choose wisely, and God does too.

May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of today's wisdom.