Proverbs 16:9 MSG [9] We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
Proverbs 16:9 NLT [9] We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9 KJV [9] A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
What is your plan? Do you even have a plan? Is it a good plan? Where did your plan come from? Were you under stress when you made your plan? What were the circumstances surrounding it? Is it a plan B or C?
There are so many different ways plans are born. Make sure your plans come after you have prayed and sought God’s wisdom; those are the plans He supports.
I Samuel 15 talks about a plan that went wrong. King Saul was given a plan by the Lord. He performed part of what God had told him to do but decided to do something else with other aspects of his mission based off of “the voice of the people”. Saul’s people urged him to take spoils from a conquest when a God specifically told him to destroy everything. Since Saul did not follow God’s plan the kingdom of Israel was taken away from him and God even went as far as to say that he regretted making him king. Wow, can you imagine going along, you have this great life, great future ahead and then you step out and do your own thing even though God has told you otherwise? Since he was disobedient everything was snatched from him. God was no longer determining Saul’s steps, Saul decided that he wanted to call the shots. Don’t allow the voice of the people to take you out of God’s plan for you.
Another example of a plan going awry is Exodus with a Moses. Moses was leading the children of Isreal into the Promised Land based on instructions from God. In order for the plan to be executed properly it was detrimental that God’s instructions be followed, total obedience was necessary. Self and doubt had no place in this plan or any God designed plans.
On one occasion Moses was supposed to strike a rock and get water from it because the people were thirsty in the wilderness, then on a second occasion he was supposed to speak to it to bring water from it. Slightly different instruction to get the same result.
First Time
Exodus 17:5 MSG [5] God said to Moses, “Go on out ahead of the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel. Take the staff you used to strike the Nile. And go. I’m going to be present before you there on the rock at Horeb. You are to strike the rock. Water will gush out of it and the people will drink.”
Second Time
Numbers 20:7-12 MSG [7-8] God spoke to Moses: “Take the staff. Assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron. Speak to that rock that’s right in front of them and it will give water. You will bring water out of the rock for them; congregation and cattle will both drink.” [9-10] Moses took the staff away from God ‘s presence, as commanded. He and Aaron rounded up the whole congregation in front of the rock. Moses spoke: “Listen, rebels! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?” [11] With that Moses raised his arm and slammed his staff against the rock—once, twice. Water poured out. Congregation and cattle drank. [12] God said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t trust me, didn’t treat me with holy reverence in front of the People of Israel, you two aren’t going to lead this company into the land that I am giving them.”
Since Moses did not trust God’s plan he was not allowed to lead them into the promise. He was only able to see it from a distance.
It is very imperative to listen to the voice of the Lord and allow His will to be our will so that our plans for ourselves match His. If our plans match His and we do not get distracted by: the voice of the people, circumstances, self or doubt we will see the promise, God has intended and reach our destiny.
Do not take the idea God gives you and run away from Him with it, like you have everything under control, that’s a negative, you will not be successful that way. Pay attention to his details, he needs to be in the middle of your plans, otherwise when you get ahead of Him and self/flesh gets involved the idea fails and you are back at square one, wondering how you got no where so quickly.
Follow His instruction down to the letter, it’s all in the details (obedience).
Don’t get ahead of Him (be very prayerful, read your bible and be intentional, even writing things down that God has shown you on your journey).
Give Him the controls, He knows best.
When you do these things you can make and execute effective plans for your future and God will go before you and establish them.
Isaiah 52:12 NLT [12] You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the LORD will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.
Don’t think you have to do anything to please anyone or that you need to rush, give your plans to God.