Scriptural Principles for Planning
Doesn’t planning ahead conflict with the idea of trusting God to lead?
“All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.”
“So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. [12] And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. [13] And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. [14] Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass. [15] Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned. [16] And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.”
Rather than conflicting with trust in God, planning helps you put your faith in God into action. God will lead you, but it is your responsibility to make it happen—to recognize His lead, make a plan, and follow through. God’s work doesn’t happen simply by chance; He needs capable people who are willing to plan ahead and do the work.
“The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.”
“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The purposes behind our plans are often more important to God than the plans themselves. Seeking to honor Him, humbly getting wise advice, and pursuing a righteous life will confine most of our plans to steps that God will bless.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
God’s direction comes in more than planning. He often doesn’t guide us until we are in motion. When an open door or a clear path lies before us, if we are trusting God, we can—and should—step forward confidently. He can steer us or stop us if we turn in the wrong direction. The more you seek after God in every area of life, the more His guidance for you will become clear. As you submit to God, He will guide you in making your plans. Use your understanding and experience humbly, thanking God for what you have learned. Often, in hindsight, you will see how God guided and directed your choices and actions.
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Though some may try to use these words from Jesus as an argument against planning, that was not the point of the teaching. If worry motivates our planning, then we may be assuming that we can control events, but if planning is a way we can trust God and prepare for the future, it is a far better approach than worrying with no plan at all.
If God has a plan for me, why should I even try to make one?
“This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God isabout to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. [29] Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: [30] And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; [31] And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. [32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. [33] Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. [34] Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. [35] And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. [36] And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.”
Joseph’s willingness to use his gifts to help the Egyptians plan for seven years of famine also allowed God’s plan to be fulfilled.
“So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. [12] And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. [13] And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. [14] Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass. [15] Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned. [16] And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. [17] Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.”
Nehemiah demonstrated wise and shrewd leadership when he carefully planned his project before beginning to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He even planned the way he would reveal the plans God had given him, first by taking a few trusted advisors on an inspection tour, then announcing the plan when he had the facts in hand.
“For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
All our planning is futile without God. Plan humbly by continually acknowledging God.
How do I go about making plans?
“And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.”
“And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.”
“And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.”
“But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.”
Follow God’s revealed will when you make your plans. If His will is not clear in a specific matter, remember that He has made His will clear in general matters of right and wrong, good and bad, helpful and harmful. So you can move ahead with your plans, as long as you are confident they do not go against God’s Word. But as you do, don’t be surprised if God intervenes to alter them.
“And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”
“Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”
“The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.”
Making plans without consulting God and seeking to understand what He wants is often a recipe for frustration and disaster. A unanimous human decision does not override God’s veto.
“All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.”
“This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. [27] For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?”
“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 will work through your plans, and in spite of them, to accomplish His goals. If you find this impossible to believe, you have a problem with your understanding of God.
“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: [14] Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. [15] For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. [16] But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”
Long-range planning is good, but hold those plans loosely. You don’t know what the future will bring and where God will take you. So plan ahead, but be flexible as you see God working in your life.
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; [2] So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; [3] Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; [4] If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; [5] Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. [6] For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. [7] He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. [8] He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. [9] Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. [10] When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; [11] Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:”
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [2] For by it the elders obtained a good report. [6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
A plan is only as good as the information upon which it is based. Human intellect is limited and inadequate. Apart from the Lord, your plans are more likely to fail. The Lord promises wisdom to those who rely on His Word and depend on His Spirit. And He promises to guide those who truly seek Him.
What if my plans fall short of God’s plans for me?
“The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. [11] The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
These verses do not describe the futility of planning. Rather, they give you the good news that, ultimately, your plans cannot mess up God’s plans! His plans will ultimately prevail.