I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)
A fool once said: “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” A rat in a dark hole might think that he is the king of the universe, but he could think this only because he has no idea what it means to be a king and how big the universe is. Against contrary circumstances, a man might be considered heroic who insists that he is the master of his fate and the captain of his soul, but he is heroic only if he in fact possesses this power and control. If he does not, then he is a delusional lunatic who is bound for failure, suffering, and final punishment. The Bible dispels the empty boasts of men, and reveals the truth to us.
God is the master of my fate. Before I was born, he conceived me in his mind and designed me for his purpose. He decreed the works that he would have me accomplish by his power. He foreordained my path, that I would believe and cling to his Son, and conform to his image. He predestined me for the glory of heaven, so that I might enjoy eternal life, and serve him forever.
Christ is the captain of my soul. I could do nothing for my soul, but Jesus Christ became my champion. He bore my sins and died for them. Then he rose from the dead for my justification. And now he is seated at God’s right hand to make intercession for me. I am at peace because Christ is my righteousness. I am at rest because Christ is my Sabbath. And I am determined and immovable because Christ is my rock. He is more faithful, more able, and more intelligent than any man who claims to be his own master and captain.
He is the author and finisher of my faith. What he has started in me, he will bring to completion. I am confident of my success not because I believe in myself, or in my ability, effort, and potential, but because I believe in his promise and his power to finish his work in me. It is not easy to believe in myself, because I have been delivered from delusion and have a realistic view of life. But it is easy to believe in Christ’s work in me, because it is easy to believe that God is faithful and powerful, that perfection would perform a perfect work.
It is not for a man to direct his steps, but his life is determined by divine foreordination and providence. When the Lord chooses to delight in a man, he establishes him so that even though he stumbles, he will not fall, because the Lord holds his hand and leads him on his way. But he ensnares the wicked and the unbelieving, so that having boasted of their ability and resolve, he causes them to slip and fall headlong into destruction.
The Christian is satisfied, because he trusts God’s arrangement. In God’s wisdom and goodness, he works out all things for his own glory and for the benefit of his people. God’s will is always best. The Christian is confident, because if it is not for him to direct his steps, then neither can other men direct his steps. If God is my master, then men are not. They may be misguided men, or even men who hate me and oppose me, but I need not fear them, because they cannot determine my fate. And men cannot dictate to my soul or bind my conscience to their desires and traditions, because in Christ I am stronger than ten thousand denominations. He is the captain and the shepherd of my soul.