Neville Turley

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

Most of us cherish dreams and ambitions that are not fulfilled. As children of God we need to remember that God is in control of our lives and has placed us on his earth to serve him and not ourselves.

We may have a burning desire to achieve success in a specific field but our triumph will be empty if it is contrary to God’s plan for us. For it is only when we submit to God’s sovereignty and lead lives obedient to him that we will find peace and harmony.

King David too, had a burning desire which was never fulfilled despite his reign of 40 years as king.  After his victorious army had conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites, David made the city his capital and brought the Ark of the Covenant to Mount Moriah.

David’s burning desire was to build a magnificent temple to house the Ark of the Covenant.

However it was not to be.

God revealed to David that as a man of war, he had shed much blood and killed many. The honour and privilege of building the temple would therefore be given instead to his son Solomon, who would be a man of peace and rest. God promised David that he would grant Israel peace and quiet during Solomon’s reign. (1 Chronicles 22:6-9)

People often get a chip on their shoulder and become embittered when the ambitions come to nought, not so David.  Knowing that Solomon was young and inexperienced, David made detailed plans that would assist Solomon to build a temple one day when he in turn became king. (1 Chronicles 22:5)

David is a role model that we would do well to follow. God’s plans are not necessarily our plans. When our desires and ambitions are thwarted we should rest content in the knowledge that God knows best and following his way will one day lead us through the gates of heaven.

Prayer: Sovereign God grant us, like David, grace to accept your will for our lives and through our deeds bring glory to your name. Amen