Scriptural Principles for Planning
Homespun wisdom says, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Although you won’t find it put exactly that way in the Bible, you will find many stories of both effective and poor planning. The Bible teaches that God is a God of purpose and planning. It also teaches that God is pleased with foresight that trusts His oversight. He gets to overrule our best plans. His purpose is to draw all humanity to Himself in order to forgive and redeem. His plan—from Creation to the present and on through eternity—is recorded and outlined in Scripture. The only question is if we have stepped into God’s plan for our lives on earth and for eternity.
Does God have a plan, or does everything just happen by chance?
“And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. [5] Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. [6] For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. [7] And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [8] So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”
We cannot figure out God’s plan on our own or even fully understand those parts that we do know. God used even the unjust treatment of Joseph by his own brothers to fulfill His future plans for His people.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
Because of God’s sovereignty, foreknowledge, and will, He has a plan that is unfolding even when it may appear to us that events are happening by chance.
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
God’s plan of redemption was established even before Creation itself. It cannot be thwarted, though human beings have certainly tried to do so or been deceived into doing so.
“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”
God’s plan to save humankind included a provision for all people, both Jews and Gentiles. It was unfolding long before it was fully revealed in Jesus Christ or fully understood by those through whom God was working out that plan.
God knows His plans, but how much is He willing to tell us?
“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; [18] Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? [19] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
The specifics of God’s plan are always revealed on a need-to-know basis. In this case with Abraham, it was part of God’s plan to let Abraham know and participate in another part of God’s plan.
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. [12] I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. [13] And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. [14] I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. [15] That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.”
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
Both the Old Testament and New Testament have a scope of history that places God above and beyond it. God’s written revelation tells us that a certain understanding of our Creator is accessible to all people, while further understanding has been revealed in Scripture as God’s plan has progressively unfolded.
“And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.”
God may assign significant roles for us in His plans even before we are born. Our relationship with God determines whether our determined role will yield positive or negative results for us and for those around us.
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”
“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”
“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: [12] In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”
God has revealed that the centerpiece of His plan for Creation was to rescue and redeem us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross on our behalf.
Does God have a specific plan for my life? Can I mess it up?
“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
God’s plan for your life is not a written script that you must follow; rather, it is a journey with various important destinations and appointments but, also, a great deal of freedom as to the pace and scope of the travel. You can mess up within God’s plan, but you can’t mess up His plan. God’s plan for you will always have a sense of mystery about it, but you can be certain that as you look for His leading, God will guide and direct you on your journey. If you separate yourself from God, you are removing yourself from His plan, His guidance, and His blessings. Come back to Him, and He will redeem your lost time.
Why is it important to plan ahead?
“Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.”
“The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.”
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”
Planning prepares you for life. The lazy person will always be caught off guard by difficult circumstances, but the person who plans ahead will be able to face the difficulties of life with resources and confidence. Planning allows you to be productive, even in difficult times.
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Planning is a necessary part of living. Planning and foresight will help us prepare for danger ahead so that we can avoid disastrous consequences.