Creator, Father, King #293

A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?

CONSIDER THE WONDER OF machines . . .

Refrigerators preserve our food. Smartphones allow us to communicate, read the news, and perform other tasks instantly. Cars, boats, trains, and airplanes quickly transport us places. Egg beaters help us, uh . . . beat eggs.

So let’s make today “National Machine Appreciation Day.” Take off school. Take off work. Throw a party. Hip, hip, hooray for machines!

Now go hug your toaster.

Today, as we continue studying the doctrine of sovereign election, we must address a few pressing issues regarding God’s sovereignty. Some critics of divine election say it, in essence, reduces mankind to unfeeling robots that God has preprogrammed. Yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, it’s true that God predestines his elect, and this should constantly stir our hearts to worship (Ephesians 1:3-14). But if you’re wondering if our daily choices really matter, the answer is a resounding YES!

What’s It Mean?

Machines are helpful tools in our daily lives. But when God created people, he didn’t create us as machines, androids, or automatons. He created us as humans—wonderfully, beautifully, and perfectly in his image (Genesis 1:26-27). We are no more mindless, programmed robots than God himself.

But there are biblical complexities to reconcile: while God is completely sovereign over all his creation, including human hearts (Proverbs 21:1) and our daily steps (today’s verse), our choices do matter. We are held morally accountable for our actions.

Yes, God elects people, but he also calls them to “have faith in God” (Mark 11:22), “repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15, NIV), and “openly declare that Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9). These are actions to which we are responsible before God.

How does God’s sovereignty and our moral accountability coexist? The Bible leaves this question largely unanswered—a fascinating mystery known only in the secret counsels of heaven (Deuteronomy 29:29). Yet God calls us to trust in him, even when we don’t fully understand his holy ways.

You are not a robot. You are an image-bearer of the living God. If you’ve already cried out to the Lord for salvation, praise God! Glorify him through daily faith and obedience. If you’re not a Christian, submit today to the sovereign God who graciously shows redeeming love through his Son, Jesus Christ.

The choice is yours.

Now What?

Because our moral choices matter (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:6-8; and 2 Corinthians 5:10), seek to display the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Did You Know?

Humans as robots? Pffft. No way! God lovingly made each of us unique (Psalm 139:13-16) with different spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8).