Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
There was a man named George Muller who lived in the 19th century. (Most of it actually, from 1805-1898). He brought reforms to the orphan care system in England. He provided care and education for some 120,000 children through the years. He did not receive government support nor did he solicit donations. All he did was pray.
Money and other types of donations always came, sometimes just in the nick of time. By man’s understanding, this would not be the way to run such an enterprise. I’m certainly not saying to do things exactly the way George Muller did except… Follow the path that the Lord has for your life.
In Psalms, we are told that the steps of a man are ordered by God when He delights in him… though he may fall, he will not be utterly cast down. Throughout the Bible we are told to do what we can and then stand firm.
So what do we do? Do all we can? Simply stand? Just pray?
The Bible says pray in all things; stand firm in faith always; Do what we can, but always as if it is unto the Lord. During the times that I have slipped up (which there are too many to count) it usually happened when I thought I had a better idea or wasn’t doing those things.
Is this a guarantee for success? Depends what our idea of success might be.