The Lord’s Plans

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)—In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)—Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

It is natural for us to plan ahead. Planning for a vacation seems innocent enough, but if God doesn’t want us to go, His plan will override ours. Remember that saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” If it is His will to let this trip happen, there will be a way for it to come to fruition.

There are things we cannot control, like who our birth mother is, or when it is our time to die. We have things we can control, like our choices we make, or our attitude on life. We are all born as sinners, but the God of our Bible has offered a solution. Turning to God and trusting in Him to forgive our sinful past, and begin to change our attitudes towards Him and others.

We are not in control of our future plans because the Lord will decide whether it will come to pass. Our plans don’t always line up with His will. When we make plans and pray about them, and when we include Him, it just might line up with God’s will. It wouldn’t hurt.

It is good to have goals, but goals will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. The future is always in God’s hands. Don’t make plans as though God doesn’t exist. How will you react if God rearranges all of your plans?   Plan ahead, but hang on to them loosely. Don’t put all your heart and soul into them. When you put God’s desires at the center of your planning, He will never disappoint you.

When something devastating happens, we do not know God’s overall plans. If you are praying for relief from suffering or pressure and God is not bringing it as fast as you would like, remember that God may be leading you toward better rewards. He is still in control, even when all your plans were ruined.

Our life is short. Don’t think that there is a lot of time to believe and receive Jesus in your life; or time to enjoy your loved ones. Live for God today. No matter when your life ends, you will have fulfilled God’s plan for you. His will is for you to accept Jesus in your life, then spread the Gospel and share Jesus with your friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

The lesson of Joseph and his brothers is a great example of how evil plans were put into God’s control. Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him. Instead they sold him. Joseph became an important man throughout his true story in the Bible. He became in charge for the Pharaoh during those days to help the people of the whole vicinity. There was a famine in Egypt and all the surrounding land. The brothers ended up coming to Joseph for help. God had been in control through all of this time. God used the brother’s evil plans as a tool to lead up to the survival of the people during the famine. It is an excellent example of our sovereign God’s plan to use evil for good. (Read The Story of Joseph in Genesis 37:1–50:26).