Vol. 6, No. 38 – September 19, 2021
Going His Pace
Proverbs 16:9, 3
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. –Proverbs 16, 9
Did you notice that the verses above are not in our customary order? At times it is good to read a verse and then go back to observe what God said before the verse was written.
I am a planner. That is not a surprise to many of you for I have been known for a looong time! Know that God is also a planner and a strategist (far better than I am). He is really organized. He has a definite pace for what He does. He runs His race like someone in a marathon, not like a sprinter. From the Scriptures we can see that He has our whole life in mind—not simply tomorrow. I have heard it said so often—God is never late. Thus, we need to understand it is often futile to attempt to hurry God. Further, God is not our bellboy; He is Father God, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the One who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.'” –Isaiah 28:16.
Most of our urgent matters are not urgent. Our stress or pressure is all too often the result of being out of the pace of God.
The verse of Proverbs indicates we should make plans, counting on God to direct us. Then we are also told to commit to the Lord whatever we do. Cowards do not start, and the lukewarm believers quit along the way. God is our sure hope, the imitator’s excuse. Is God your sure hope, or your excuse?
We are encouraged to adopt the pace of God. What is the secret of God’s pace? Patience. Here is a truth for us: there is no time lost in waiting, if you are waiting on the Lord. At some point the roads of life turn uphill. I do not know about you, but I do not do well running uphill—and I just do not set any speed records. It is more comforting to go the pace God sets. He not only knows us because He made us; but because He knows us, He knows the exact speed we should go through life!
Fulfilling God’s expectations take time; we should give our time over to the One who made us.
Life Application
I do not know how many times I have heard the remark, find out where God is working and join Him there, but it remains true for us. Walking in the pace of God establishes is God’s foundation for our life. Nothing is firmly established unless it is built on God’s Word and on His will. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. –Psalm 127:1. Believers need to never remain where God has not sent them.
A Christian with the right pace is like a candle, which must be kept cool and burn at the same time. –Anonymous.
Great people of God learn: (1) Whom to obey, (2) How to obey, and (3) When to obey.
God has our whole life in mind as He directs us.
