A Round Tuit, Part Two - A Christian Devotional

by Charles Swindoll at Crosswalk.com

³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. ⁴ The LORD works out everything for his own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster. ⁵ The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.  ⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. ⁷ When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. ⁸ Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. ⁹ In his heart a man plans his course,but the LORD determines his steps. Prov 16:3-9

In Part One, I presented you with your own (round) tuit---the solution to those procrastination problems you've been having. Yep, no longer will you need to say:

"I should take care of that---and I will as soon as I get a (round) tuit."

You've got it!

Now, let's take a look at what the Bible says about this. I'll bet Solomon had a (round) tuit. Maybe he got his from Moses, who once wrote:

So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

Solomon hitchhikes on that idea vehicle and rides it down three realistic roads:

1. In Proverbs 16:1 he admits that "orderly thinking" (MLB) is unique to man. He tells us that being mentally organized is not an impossibility! Point: we are built with the ability to think and plan things out.

2. In Proverbs 13:4 (along with 21:5) he reminds us that the desire to carry out those plans is also built in . . . even "the sluggard" desires it. Stop and think about yourself. When you're late, you usually have had the desire to be on time. When you fail, you desired to succeed. When you have put something off, you often live with the desire to get it done. The internal equipment is fully furnished by our Heavenly Father.

3. In Proverbs 16:3 and 16:9 Solomon introduces a need dimension that works in conjunction with your (round) tuit . . . God's perfect will, His ability to "pull things off" in our lives. We must depend and count on Him!

So then---a final question must be answered: Why don't we accomplish our objectives? If we have the ability to think and plan, the inner desire to see it done, and the powerful will of God to pull it off, then why don't we reach our goals? I suggest three possible answers:

We have set goals that are unwise and/or unrealistic.
---or---
We have made plans contradicting God's will.
---or---
We have failed to use our (round) tuit.

Take a thirty-minute look at your life this week. Go before God and give Him your list of objectives, asking Him for His green light . . . then with your desire in gear, tighten your belt and get on with it. Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope