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Plans
are a process. Every step along the way of this process is not
always ideal in our own eyes. God’s plans are always wonderful
because He is an incredible designer. Although each of us
interprets the word wonderful differently that does not make
God’s plan less wonderful. He is perfect and plans everything
perfectly so His plans are wonderful for us. Personally, I trust and believe
that everything is done for a reason and I don’t have to know
why. God is sovereign and I am thrilled with His plans. His
plans bring glory to His name.
Jesus
died on the cross for our sins. He fulfilled the wonderful plan
of God. Although Jesus asked God “…“O
My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will (Matt 26:39b)”.
Jesus was obedient to God’s will and fulfilled the wonderful
plan of God even though if it were possible He wanted the cup to
pass from Him. Did God have a wonderful plan for Jesus’ life?
Yes. “For God so loved the
world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)”.
We have been given a new covenant with God through the shedding
of Christ’s blood on the cross for my sins. That is a wonderful
and awesome plan. Now let’s look at another character in the
Bible.
Jesus
was planned and we instantly see the outcome and reason for this
plan but what about plans that do not seem to portray an
obviously positive outcome. Job, my favorite book of the Bible,
did not see the plans of God. This did not make God a less than
perfect planner and designer. Job admitted that God has the
ability to do whatever He pleases for His purpose “I
know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours
can be withheld from You (Job 42:2)”.
He then states “Therefore I have
uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me,
which I did not know (Job 42:3b).” What had God uttered in the
previous chapters? He talked about His creation of animals and
birds, His acts of nature, and His justice. God told Job
intimate details of His reputation for precision and calculated
detail.
Never before
in my life did I understand what God was saying till recently. I
realized that if God knows enough to do the things that He does
within nature and demonstrates daily His correction to mankind;
I should know beyond any shadow of a doubt that He has a
wonderful plan for my future. I trust God so implicitly that
even when He is correcting me it is all part of His wonderful
plan for my present and future. He loves me so much that I am
not afraid “Though He slay
me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15a)”.
So you may still ask the question what was
the wonderful plan for Job’s life?
I can say it
was for me. Job showed me God. When I read the book of Job, I
hear and almost feel the hurt of Job’s heart, mind, body and
soul searching for relief from his afflictions. Then I know God.
I read about God’s justice
“Would you indeed annul My
judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have
you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?
(Job 40:8-9).” My answer is no. But have I ever condemned God?
Yes, in my heart I have asked the question. Why did God do this
to me? I did not deserve this. I was doing what He wanted. I
read about God’s ability and know that I am governed by a
powerful, intelligent, Almighty, Holy God and can say nothing
more. My heart, mind, body and soul acknowledge His power and
authority. Job has given me the words to say “Therefore I abhor
myself, and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:6)”
Now if I said God’s
wonderful plan for your life will feel wonderful and fulfilling
that would be a lie or a partial truth at best. Feelings come
and go. There are moments in our lives when God test us so
severely that we feel our insides are outside. We ache from
every part of our being. God's plan is wonderful and will remain
wonderful. However, God will
never leave us or forsake us. He will always be there for us.
Hebrews 13:5-6
5
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such
things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave
you nor forsake you.”
6
So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?” |
