“Our life and how we find the world now and in the future is, almost totally, a simple result of what we have become in the depths of our being - in our spirits, will, or heart. From there we see our world and interpret reality. From there we make our choices, break forth into action, try to change our world. We live from our depths…” (Dallas Willard in Renovation of the Heart, p. 13).

Samuel was going through the interview process to find a new king for Israel. God had already narrowed down the field by directing Samuel to Jesse’s family in Bethlehem. By all appearances, Jesses’ first son looked like a shoe-in for the job, but God said no. He explained to Samuel that people look at outward appearances whereas God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). God rejected six more of Jesse’s sons. There was only one left, David, and he was out tending the sheep. When David makes his appearance, God confirms that David is the guy. This young shepherd evidently had the right stuff in the inside. Samuel anoints him the next king of Israel. When God raises up leaders, often the most important leadership quality is the condition of their hearts. We live and lead from our depths.

This week, I had the privilege of speaking at the Canada Institute of Linguistics (CANIL) chapel. The chapel theme for their Summer@CANIL program is “God’s Word Accomplishes His Intentions.” The theme comes out of Isaiah 55:11: “... so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

As I thought about the theme, I was struck with the reality that God accomplishes His plans in His time and in His way. The verses preceding the promise in Isaiah 55:11 remind us that God’s ways are higher than our ways; His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (vv. 8-9). If I agree with these theological truths (and I do), why do I sometimes flip out when God’s ways are different from what I think would be best? How can we hold on to God and His promises when life seems to be going sideways?

In the chapel session, I reflected on the men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11. None of them saw the complete fulfillment of God’s promises to them (Heb. 11:39-40). Yet, they still walked with God. They obeyed His call on their lives, even when it involved considerable sacrifice. The bottom-line for all of them was that they had faith in a promise-keeping God, One who works out His ultimate plans according to His timetable and in His way. I want to have more of that kind of faith.

Mrs. Husenetter was a spunky, godly senior who lived in Caronport, Saskatchewan as I was growing up. It was the summer between my first and second year at Briercrest Bible College, when I had one of those trajectory-changing conversations with Mrs. Husenetter. She was telling me how she was memorizing Scripture. I thought, "That's nice." To be polite, I asked, "What are you memorizing?" She said, "Ephesians...and I'm almost done chapter six." Wow! That really spoke to me. If an 80-year-old could memorize an entire book of the Bible, maybe I could do the same. I am so thankful for Mrs. Husenetter's good example. It led to many passages of Scripture finding their way into my heart.