- James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;
What are your ‘Big Plans’? Are planning to buy a new home or run away from the one you are in? Are planning to start a family or breaking up one the one you have? Are planning a move across town or across the country? Are you breaking free of a bad situation, starting a new business, changing your life for the better, quitting your job to chase after a dream…?
The Bible states clearly that careful and informed planning is sensible and beneficial.
Diligent planning is good.
- Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
- Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
But honestly, we don’t know what the future holds. The next beat of your heart, the passing of a few hours, days or years can bring sudden or gradual change that makes all your planning pointless.
- Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
- James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away
Our sovereign God rules over the universe with infinite knowledge and power. And in His wisdom and love, He has plans that will be fulfilled. And when our plans don’t align with His purposes:
- Psalm 33:10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
- Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
- Proverbs 19:21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
When we boast about the future:
- Luke 12:18-19 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’
We put ourselves in a position where God may need to humble us:
- Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
All of our plans, big or small, should be made with the understanding that God’s plans are perfect. We should always pray and desire that His will be done.
- James 4:15-16 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil
The more You seek to know and understand His will through prayer, Bible study, Godly counsel, etc., the more likely your plans will align with His purposes. So go ahead and make your plans; but don’t let pride about understanding God and His will lead you to the point where drastic change brings your world crumbling down around you!
And just one more thing, if God’s Holy Spirit is prompting you to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, don’t put that off. Your next breath could be your last chance to glorify God and secure your eternal life in Heaven!
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
- Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
Prayer
Forgive me Father when I make plans without seeking Your will and not considering that Your perfect plans may not align with my thinking or desires. Forgive the worry, regret, frustration or anger that rises up within me when Your plans put an end to mine. Help Your children to accept with joy the beauty of Your sovereign reign over all things. If there is anyone who reads this that doesn’t understand what salvation through Jesus Christ means, but they really want to know, I pray that you will send someone to share the truth with them. I pray all this in the most precious and wonderful name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
