Our Plans His Steps

In Proverbs 16, the writer explores the relationship between our plans and God's providence. Here are some verses that remind us who is sovereign and in control, recognizing that He will inspire our planning and execution:
1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.

9 A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Recently, in a Midwestern city, a prayer meeting occurred.  One of the unique aspects of this meeting is that nobody seems to know who called it!

KSDK Television out of St. Louis reported earlier this week: "The man accused of assaulting and critically wounding Ferguson police officer Travis Brown last month is now facing 12 charges after a grand jury indicted him last week."  The suspect is named Elijah Gantt, and the article went on to say: 

According to charging documents and video released in the days after the incident, a few people damaged the fence at the police station in the late night hours of Aug. 10, causing police to step in and make arrests. The grand jury indictment alleges Gantt kicked kicked six different police officers while trying to evade arrest. While fleeing police, he allegedly "charged" Officer Travis Brown, knocking him to the ground and leaving him with a serious brain injury.

Brown was still in the hospital as of Sept. 3, according to the most recent update to the GoFundMe page started to help with his medical costs.

CBN News reported:

New to the Ferguson Police Department, Officer Brown was shoved to the ground by an alleged protester at a rally that started as peaceful and then later turned violent.

The assault on Officer Brown, an African-American who was sworn in this January, coincided with the 10-year anniversary of 18-year-old Michael Brown's death.

For quite some time, Brown was in a coma - it is unclear whether or not he still is. 

Jonathan Tremaine Thomas leads a ministry called Civil Righteousness, that is devoted to improving race relations, which, following a prayer vigil for Brown, prompted the police department to ask that ministry to expand its prayer efforts citywide.  

That's when things get interesting; CBN notes:

Invited to headquarters by the police chaplain on Tuesday, Aug. 13, Pastor Thomas learned the City of Ferguson was publicizing a call to prayer that evening – assuming the pastor was leading the gathering.

Ferguson Police Chaplain Jose Aguayo told Thomas the police chief preferred a week's delay to give officers and city staff time to recover from tense 10-hour workdays following the violence.

Civil Righteousness, however, was not involved in organizing the prayer event promoted by the city and covered by local network news broadcasts, according to a Civil Righteousness email.

That evening hundreds of people convened for prayer, and multiple media outlets dutifully covered the event.

A Facebook post by Thomas embedded in the CBN article said this:

Yesterday, a miracle occurred before our very eyes in the heart of our city. Hundreds showed up to a public prayer meeting with the police, all of our elected officials, and clergy.. But NO ONE could figure out who called it. NO ONE organized it, and NO ONE knew who was leading it. Yet, the Spirit of the Lord moved among us powerfully as we humbled ourselves before heaven and before one another.

He went to to say, "It was a moment for Ferguson (and possibly American) history that we will point to as a turning point in the years to come."

Upon showing up, Thomas and Aguayo led the gathering, along with other church leaders.  The mayor even sang a song about the blood of Jesus!

The article also notes:

Even before the attack on Officer Brown and the miraculous gathering that followed it, the Ferguson Prayer Furnace – an outreach and intercession ministry of Civil Righteousness – has served its neighbors uniquely this summer.

Drive-through prayer for Ferguson residents has drawn hundreds of people since July, according to Hannah Herum, co-director of the prayer and outreach expression of CR.

In Ferguson, Missouri, God invited people and drew them to a prayer meeting - it grew out of a community's love for a fallen officer.  But, there are other needs in a community that has faced its share of turmoil.  And, God orchestrated it - perfectly, according to His will.

The Bible speaks about the plans we make.  I tend to be a planner - what I present to you each weekday, while I hope is anointed by the Spirit of God, reflects a degree of planning.  But, ultimately, the fruit is from the Lord.  So, the challenge is to minister here under His strength, not my own.  I believe God is pleased with our preparation.  But, we always have to remember who is ultimately in control. And, there will be occasions when God rocks our world and changes our plans.  We will see sovereign acts of God, just as we read about in the Scriptures.

That comes as we maintain a sense of humility and dependence on God.  A spontaneous prayer meeting occurs simply because God wants it to. Miracles occur in our midst because of the hand of Almighty God, the one who is really in control. We can be expectant as we walk through life, recognizing that the Lord does as He pleases - for His glory.