Indeed, it's not very wise that men should think themselves "The Smartest Guys In The Room," especially when God is in the midst thereof. Take heed to the red flags this time. Pride still goes before a fall. And, indeed, having refused to listen or even acknowledge, I have been counted as nothing among them.
1 Corinthians 1 (NLT)
¹²Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” ¹³Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! ¹⁴This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. ¹⁵Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. ¹⁶Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. ²⁸God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. ²⁹As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1 (NLT)
¹²Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” ¹³Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! ¹⁴This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. ¹⁵Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. ¹⁶Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. ²⁸God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. ²⁹As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
BRILLIANT!
The story of Sarah and Abraham still comes to mind amid all that's been happening in my assignment. Though she initially doubted her own ability, thereby opening the door to the chaos of Hagar, God opened Sarah's understanding: It wasn't about her ability; but rather, His power. Even though Sarah and Abraham initiated their own plan, and sought to make it work, it was not to be. For God, foreknowing all things, had predetermined the outcome.
Eve listened to the snake, and Sarah doubted. But because God is God, sovereign and omniscient, it's already done. Whether or not the multitude agrees, it's His choice. For it was not to Abraham only, but likewise that Sarah would be the mother of many nations. Hagar was not completely denounced because she had obeyed her mistress. Still, God himself commands that "the woman," with whom He has made covenant, is to be heeded in carrying out His plan.
Genesis 21:12 (NLT)
But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted."
Just as God knows the totality of His plan, He has also predetermined the place for His plan. That no man shall boast. Nothing comes through man's interference except illegitimacy.
So then...
James 4 (NLT)
⁹Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Neither God nor I can force man to listen. But, to be certain, whenever man recites the LORD's prayer, he is coming into agreement with God's plan. "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." Therefore, while man has free will to do things his way, in riding off on his own ritualistic plans of idolatry, the latter end will always be God's way - by whatever means He then deems necessary.
1 Corinthians 1:31 (NLT)
Therefore, as the scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”
Recommended Reading: James Ch. 4
Afterthought: Just think, as is His usual manner, God sat by while all that took place; yet, the latter end was exactly as He had purposed. What seems like foolishness to man, where God's involvement is concerned, is indeed wiser than the best laid plans of those thought to be cognitive and confident among man's counsel.
