The Ultimate Victory: Surrendering Our Plans to God
I have horses on my mind today. Some of you know I am a week away from retiring from my duties as president of Point University. And no, I have no plans in my season of “refirement” to buy a horse, ride a horse, or bet on a horse. I did watch all three of the triple crown events and enjoy watching Journalism win the Preakness and Sovereignty’s exciting wins at the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Completely off topic it does seem that there must be a punch line or joke concerning Sovereignty beating Journalism. Maybe evidence that we would do better betting on God than on Journalists?
Recently one of my grandsons has gotten interested in riding horses and has a thought about being in a rodeo. This is the same grandson who likes to hunt and fish. He would probably make a good cowboy but I don’t think there is a lot of opportunities for cowboys these days.
In my morning bible reading Proverbs 21:31 continued to stir my thoughts about horses.
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.”
As I near my retirement as a college president this verse got me thinking about all the battles I have faced over the last 20 years. While horses were not involved in any of my battles this metaphor certainly resonates with the many battles or difficulties I have experienced in the last two decades.
We all have battles in life. Some are health battles, others are relationship difficulties, financial challenges, and on and on. Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said that in this life, we will experience trouble. This proverb lines up with the promise of Jesus concerning the troubles we face in this world. Jesus said: “take heart, I have overcome the world”.
The apostle Paul also reminds us:
“I can do all things through him that strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
It is good to prepare for the many battles and troubles we will face. But the truth is sometimes the battles sneak up on us. And sometimes we find ourselves in a David and Goliath type of battle where we can’t imagine how we might secure victory with an opponent or problem that is so big compared to what we have to bring to the battle.
And sometimes we don’t realize that all throughout our lives God has been preparing us for battles we never imagined we would face. It is good to know that when we place our lives in God’s hands and surrender our plans and agendas to him that he is not only capable of providing victory he assures us that the victory belongs to Him.
However we should be careful with our interpretation concerning victory. We can find comfort that any and every victory comes from the Lord. That doesn’t mean that we will win every battle but rather that God will bring ultimate victory for us and for his kingdom in his perfect timing and according to his ultimate purposes. Even when it appears that we have experienced defeat God weaves all situations together for his glory and his redemptive good.
All through the book of proverbs and in all the narratives of scripture we are called to surrender ourselves and our situations to the Lord. We are to seek wise counsel and make plans. We are told to not trust in ourselves or our plans but rather to trust in the Lord with all our heart. And when we place our lives, our plans, and bring our prayers to the Lord we can be sure that the victories we experience are because of his intervention in our situation. He can and does bring transformation through all we do as we surrender to his will daily.
Father, thank you for the promise that the victory is yours. We surrender our hearts and minds to you today as we face the challenges of our current moment. We trust you to provide for us and to deliver us from the enemies agenda in our lives and in our situation. In Jesus name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Proverbs 21:31; Philippians 4:11-13; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 ESV
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