Give In To God's Plans

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. -Proverbs 19:21

Something that we all have in common as human beings is this: We have finite wisdom and abilities. And, as a result of our limited understanding (compared to God's infinite wisdom and abilities), together with our sinfulness, we are incapable of directing our steps. Yes, we might think we're in control, but are we really?

What seems right to us, more than likely leads us down the path towards destruction and death. As if this wasn't bad enough, since our thoughts are not God’s, we consistently fall short short of God’s perfect and all-wise plan (1 Corinthians 1:25). Is this starting to sound familiar? Good!

Here's some encouraging news, though: God cares about each one of us, and wants to direct our lives. So much so, that He has a plan for us; an infinitely, superior plan. His detailed plan contains all the wisdom and data He possesses, past, present, and future.

In James 4:13-17, James advises men against the folly of making plans without consideration for the will of God in the matter. What James is telling us is that you and I can make any plans we want. However, God always has the last word. Then, when we learn His plans for the situation, and we make our plans based on His plans, we discover that He had the best plan all along!

For many of us, this all might be difficult to swallow. I know that we all like to make our own plans, don't we? And, certainly we all want things to go just as we planned. Nevertheless, have you ever stopped to think that maybe... just maybe, God might have a better plan for us?

Let me share some examples of what I'm talking about:

• Luke 5:4-8 
• Matthew 16:21-23
• 1 Samuel 17
• Numbers 13-14

All of these verses clearly show that God had the best plan for the people that are mentioned here. There are several other examples that I could show you, but I think you get what I am talking about. God's plan may not be the easiest plan for us to follow; it may not be the most popular plan; it might not even be the smartest plan, but remember: God always has the best plan!

Our own plans pale in comparison to the good things the Father has in store for us. The most intelligent thing you can do is obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him. Beloved, God has a great plan for you and I, and he's very committed to making that plan become a reality. Still, in order for him to do that, we must do our part. We must surrender ourselves to him, so that he can continue to direct our lives.

And, oh yes! Always remember: be patient! God doesn't work on our timetable, and he doesn't commit himself to explain his purposes in advance. I like how George MacDonald, a 19th century Scottish Christian minister put it: “Doing the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans.”

In closing, if you think God is messing around with your plans, you had better think again. The best thing you could ever do is yield to His plan, because His plan is the best plan! 

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 37:23

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know what I need more than I do, so I yield myself to your plan. Take me and make me the kind of Christian that you would have me to be. Amen

God bless you!

Aileen