Defer To Him

Prov.16:9 “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”

The second step to confidently face the future is to avoid the two mistakes highlighted in James 4:13-17 [please read]. The first mistake is planning without God. Someone says and I agree, “The best way to predict the future is to plan”. Yes, God expects us to plan. When you are creating the future, you are planning. But the easiest way to ruin that future you are creating is to plan without God.

James 4:13 “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” This is like a typical business plan because it answers the questions – when, where, how long, what, and why. Every good business plan must answer these components. So technically, there is nothing wrong with this plan. But this plan is faulty because there is no provision for God. Do not plan without God. James 4:15 “Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” [with emphasis]. If is a conditional statement; in other words, you are allowing God to redirect you. You are making room for God’s superior plan. If opens you up. The solution is simple; pray before you plan and pray as you plan.

Prov.16:9 “We should make plans—counting on God to direct us” [TLB, with emphasis]. We should make plans but we should also count on God for direction. If you live your life like this, you can face the future confidently. And if your plans do not work out, you do not spend time worrying because you know you have committed it to God’s hands. And even if it is not working out now, God is going to make everything work together for your good. Knowing this drives out all fears.

For some people, their plan is their life and once the plan begins to deviate they begin to fret. And the reason they fret is because God is not in it. A lot of people take their plans to God expecting Him to bless it. Like Abraham said to God, “let Ishmael live before You, O God!” You have done your own “Ishmael”, God says I will not bless Ishmael because in Isaac shall your seed be. Instead of saying God bless my plans, say God help me plan.

Prayer [song]: Father, I adore You. I lay my life before You. How I love You. Amen!