For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Have you ever asked, “What is God’s plan for my life?” Maybe you didn’t put it in those exact words. Possibly your question was more like: “What is my purpose? Why am I here?” “What should I be doing with my life?” “Is there something better for me?” “Where do I belong?” More importantly, have you ever taken those questions to God?
We should never leave God out of the planning process. In today’s focus scripture God says of His people, in the context of His plan for their lives, “you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” God wants you to come before Him and to pray fervently and sincerely from the depths of your heart.
In yesterday’s message, Plan for a Better Life, I talked about the importance of intentional planning which I defined as “repeated and modified behavior with the anticipation of a future result.” By intentional planning we can look forward to a better future in which we are better prepared for the unexpected challenges that life throws at us.
Your best plans are those that originate in the mind of God. From Him you gain the vision, insight, knowledge, and wisdom for making the right choices and plotting the most effective course for you. He knows you better than anyone, and He has your best interest at heart. He is also your source for strength in executing the plan and seeing it through to completion.
I have heard Christians say they don’t want to know God’s plan for their lives. They actually claimed to fear He would assign them as missionaries to some dreadful part of the world. We should never be afraid of God’s plans for us.
Jesus said, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Mt 7:9-11)
There are those who say they have tried hard but God just hasn’t, or won’t, reveal His will to them. Again from Matthew we read these familiar words from the Lord:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Mt 7:7-8)
It is entirely possible that you already have a dream given to you by God. That is to say, God may have already revealed His plan for your life. Surely you are familiar with these words from Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” It may be that what you need is confirmation and not revelation. Ask Him, “Lord, is this from you? Have You planted this desire in my heart?”
Just remember that God will never give you a plan or desire that is contrary to His will as revealed in His word. If it doesn’t line up with the word of God then you can know with all certainty your dream is not from God.
Some years ago there was a news story out of Las Vegas in which a man drove his car onto a busy sidewalk killing and injuring a number of people. Later, when he was asked what happened he said, “God told me to do it.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know it was not God’s voice he heard. God will never tell you to do anything that violates His person, character, or word. He will never plant a desire in your heart that insights sinful behavior.
Do you know God’s plan for your life? Isn’t it time you ask? Call on Him today.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
For more on this topic, check out this article: The Lord is the Supreme Gift Giver
Reprinted from The Forever Notebook, Book 1 (January – March) Get your copy here: Paperback and eBook/Kindle formats.
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