His Will, My Peace
“In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him.” Proverbs 21:1
Decisions can paralyze me. The higher the stakes, the more difficult the choice becomes. This was especially true with motherhood, a leadership role I most longed to excel in.
What if I messed up and seriously stunted our daughter’s emotional or spiritual growth? What if I failed in the most important role God had ever assigned me?
Sometimes God’s guidance was clear and confirmed multiple times and in numerous ways. Other times, however, my prayers were met with an uncomfortable silence, and I was tempted to grow anxious. But then I remembered God’s promise to gently and patiently guide those who lead (Isaiah 40:11).
When ancient Israel’s King, Solomon, penned Proverbs the passage today’s verse comes from, was he reminded of these same truths? His leadership responsibilities had to feel overwhelming. If he mis-stepped and angered an opposing nation, would they wage war against those he’d been assigned to protect? If he managed his land and people poorly, would economic ruin or rebellion follow?
And as he weighed his options, knowing they could initiate national consequences, did he find courage in focusing on truth? The truth that, though he’d make mistakes, so long as he remained close to God, the Lord would direct his steps and help him lead well?
I don’t know the backstory to Solomon’s words. He may have been writing to remind himself that God had promised to give him wisdom to rule Israel well. Or perhaps he was writing to his subjects, encouraging them to trust not in him or his abilities or leadership but instead in God’s, our ultimate ruler.
Regardless, I find great peace in Solomon’s words, both as one who leads and as one who simultaneously follows because they assure me that God is bigger than mankind’s poorest decision and worst sin, and He’ll always take care of His own.
Jennifer Slattery is a writer, editor, speaker, and the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She writes and podcasts for Crosswalk, is the author of Building a Family along with numerous other titles, and helped write Wholly Loved’s Bible study based on the life of Sarai (Gen. 12-23) titled Becoming His Princess, releasing in the spring/summer of 2019. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall outings with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Visit her online at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
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Originally published Wednesday, 19 February 2020.
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