Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived, can get the better of God. Do your best, prepare for the worst—then trust God to bring victory.
Proverbs 21:30–31 MSG
Jacob the patriarch knew all about being clever and conniving. His name means “deceiver.” In the end, at the river Jabbok, “he tried to get the best of God” (Hosea 12:4 MSG).
He didn’t succeed. God got the best of him and made Himself known to Jacob. Armed by that experience, Jacob prepared to meet his twin, Esau, who had years ago vowed to kill Jacob. But the feared confrontation was a nonevent. God had changed Esau’s heart, and the brothers parted peacefully.
Poet Robert Burns put it this way: “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” A problem looms on your horizon. You face serious health problems. A child gets into trouble. You lose your job.
You do everything you can think of. You pull strings, consult doctors, exercise regularly, change how you eat, talk with counselors. None of those activities are wrong, but they won’t decide the outcome. You have done your best and prepared for the worst.
When you have reached the end of your rope—the entire time you are making plans—one thing only will guarantee the best outcome: trusting God. It’s as simple, and as difficult, as that.
Mighty God, let me trust You and not my own plans. You will bring the victory.
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Today’s reading was adapted from Daily Wisdom for Women: 2018 Devotional Collection with permission from Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading was written by Darlene Franklin.
Keep up the Good work