“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:30 NIV)
This morning, Rob and I are headed to San Antonio to watch the fighting Cardinals play football but more importantly, hear our boy bang on the drums with the marching band. We’ve been hopeful about these plans for several weeks, but also very aware that anything can change.
Try as we might, the plans of man will never stand against the purposes of God. As a believer, I find this incredibly comforting. What’s more, I long to align my plans with His perceived purposes and then hold my events calendar loosely. Thankfully, God has made His purposes quite clear: love God, love people and tell the world about what God has done. We can make our plans with His purposes in mind and then adjust along the way as the Lord lays out our days. These adjustments must come without complaint or crumbling. We can be happy to oblige by our God’s instructions even if they are last minute in nature.
“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)
“I say, My purpose will stand, and I will do what I please.” (Isaiah 46:11 NIV)
Aren’t we glad for a God who makes plans? Aren’t we grateful to be included – even in some small way – in the grand scope of what He’s doing? We are either willing participants or we are used in spite of ourselves. We look to the Pharisees and see evil men make evil plans and still, the purposes of God prevail.
“Very early in the morning, the chief priests and the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.” (Mark 15:1 NIV)
Even the enemies of God make plans. Their plans stand in futile opposition to the agenda of heaven: a pile of matchsticks before the Almighty. In His omnipotence and sovereignty He sweeps up the enemy’s most awful plans and uses them as fuel to further Kingdom purposes. Even the plotted and atrocious crucifixion of God’s Son somehow factored into the overarching aim of salvation.
We cannot out-plan God. He will always be steps ahead, working all things out for His glory. We either get on board and acknowledge His supremacy or we spend our flesh fighting and His will marches on anyway. He alone has dominion over heaven and earth. Thank God He is good and His plans and purposes are perfect. We can trust Him; we may as well join Him and enjoy the inclusion rather than find ourselves flattened as opposition when the will of God presses past us.
“No matter how painful the labor, there is great satisfaction in finding and doing the will of God and realizing in service in fellowship with the living God.” (Charles Feinberg)
“The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.” (Psalm 33:10-11 NIV)
Lord, let us cooperate with You rather than stand against You. Your plans are good and Your purposes are accomplishing wonderful things. We trust You and hand ourselves over to Your will. Thank You for including us in Your Kingdom. Amen.