We have many thoughts, plans, and ideas, but God is the One Who directs our steps.
“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs His steps.” ~Proverbs 16:9 NASB
Many fear their plans will fail, and they may or may not come to fruition depending on how they conform to the Lord’s plans, but the Lord’s purposes will stand because of Who He is.
“Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.” ~Proverbs 19:21 AMPC
“And here is the staggering thing—that in all which will one day belong to Him we have been promised a share (since we were long ago destined for this by the one who achieves His purposes by His sovereign will), so that we, as the first to put our confidence in Christ, may bring praise to His glory!
And you too trusted Him, when you heard the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation. And after you gave your confidence to Him you were, so to speak, stamped with the promised Holy Spirit as a guarantee of purchase, until the day when God completes the redemption of what He has paid for as His own; and that will again be to the praise of His glory.” ~Ephesians 1:11-14 Phillips
Many Thoughts…but God
Lauren Daigle’s song, You Say, speaks of how our many thoughts and many feelings can contradict God’s Word.
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And You say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe
Oh, I believe
What You say of me
I believe
Let us choose to lay our many thoughts and feelings at His feet, choosing to believe His Words of love for us. Let us come to Him, searching for Him with all our heart, receiving His peace, His hope, and a future with Him.
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” ~Jeremiah 29:11-13 AMP
Recommendations:
God Hears Our Cry – He Does Not Ignore Us – Strength with Dignity
Want Access to God? Jesus is the Way – Strength with Dignity
References:
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
Appelo, Lisa. 31 But God Bible Verses. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from 31 But God Bible Verses – Lisa Appelo
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS) The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is many.
22 thoughts on “Many Plans…but God”
We do need to come to Him and let Him tell us more about Himself. 🙂 FMF20
So true, Annette!
Yes, his plans for us are GOOD! But so often we hold on so tightly to our own plans instead. How much better to believe and to trust God. Visiting from FMF#18
Believing He is good and trusting Him to lead us is key to us moving forward in a life-giving way, Kym!
I am definitely at a stage where I am seeking God’s will for my life. I want his plan and not my own. It’s so tough to be patient and wait for him, but thanks for the reminder that his plans are perfect.
May the Lord encourage your heart in this season of waiting, Deirdre. He is worth the wait!
God has used the Lauren Daigle lyrics to minister to me many times when I need reminding of who God says I am. Thanks, Lisa!
It’s such a great song, Lisa!
Encouraging Scriptures and song.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Sandra!
Plans and plans and plans and plans,
books I’d write and autograph.
Put your dreams into God’s hands,
then stand back and hear Him laugh,
“Is THAT the best that you can dream?
Child, this is a test you’ve failed
because you truly have not seen
what your life in Me’s entailed.
You think a room with a closed door,
a mild and tepid celebration,
but for you, I’ve so much more,
so full of sorrow and elation
that if you let Me work My ways,
no vastness can contain your days.”
Beautiful, Andrew!
Lisa, you share so much wisdom in this post. I like to say I write my plans in pencil, knowing that God’s plans may be different from what I think they’re going to be. Praying and seeking His wisdom is helpful. And sometimes, I’ve found, He’s silent. But, as I do my best to follow His word and the promptings on my heart, I find He guides me in the steps I should be taking.
I LOVE that song by Lauren Daigle. Thank you for sharing it!
Writing in pencil, submitting to the Master’s plans is such wisdom, Jeanne. He is faithful to guide us!
Thank you, Lisa. I am learning to listen in every tiny decision of the day to His will, so the big directions and plans don’t catch me too off guard. I think I often just hoped that God would bless my plans; now I want to only follow His. But it is not easy!
It makes such a difference when we walk with moment-by-moment versus only seeking Him in the big decisions, Dawn! Relationship versus a magic genie approach; the first is life-giving while the second is non-fulfilling.
Lisa, I love that God directs my steps. It is such a place of rest knowing I simply can’t take a wrong turn in my day when I am surrendered to Him.
Surrender and trust to God do bring us to a place of peace and rest, Donna. He is so gracious, loving and kind to us!
Amen Lisa. So true so true. There is great encouragement within. So beautifully spoken sweet friend.
I appreciate you sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Paula, and thank you for hosting Sweet Tea & Friends!
I love that song! This>>”the Lord’s purposes will stand because of Who He is.” Speaks volumes.
Visiting today from Joanne’s
Lauren Daigle’s song is so encouraging, Paula!