God Decides

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the channels of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1

Many years ago, my husband and I put in a bid to buy a large home that would be used for a particular ministry purpose. It had seven bedrooms, three bathrooms, a circle driveway, five acres of open space and dirt roads, and a fruit orchard off to the side. The house was listed at a price way beyond our means, but we had decided ahead of time what we could afford, when it came time to make an offer.

We loved the house and knew it was perfect in every way, except for the price. My husband didn’t flinch when the realtor’s phone call came with a slightly lowered asking price. He knew the truth—we could only afford so much, and no more. We would not go into debt that we could not pay back.

We prayed. After another call from the realtor, with only a slightly lower price than the last time, my husband took a stand. “We have this certain amount to offer, and we do not have one dollar over that amount.” The realtor argued that we were being offered the deal of the century. We argued again that we would not enter an agreement to pay money we did not have.

In our hearts, we knew that God would have His way. If we had not heard Him correctly about this house and property, it would not come to pass for us. We laid everything on the table, and were not playing the negotiation game with the owner or realtor. We weren’t asking the owner to take less than the house was worth. We were simply stating the facts. We have this much, and no more. We knew the choice to decline or accept our offer was his.

You can guess how it turned out. The next call was the realtor stating the owner had accepted our offer. God had done it. The homeowner’s heart was in His hand, and like a channel of water, He had turned it where He wished. The ministry went forward.

Why do I worry so much? When I worry, I’m saying that the sovereign, powerful, able, omniscient God, who is high above all things, can’t take care of His own. He can’t decide the best ways to do things. He needs my help managing the universe. He is waiting for my counsel.

May we all confidently say with Job, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You” (Job 42:2).

 God, You are high above all things. Help our weak faith. We long to honor You by trusting in You. Amen.