Planning Ahead!

Prior to our recent vacation we planned ahead by deciding what it would cost to camp, made lists of our camping supplies to make sure we had everything together, my wife came up with a menu so we knew what food we needed to buy, etc. We even planned where we would assemble with the church on Sunday. This past week I joined two others for a hike in the Olympic Mountains of Washington State. The night before, I laid out what I would need in my pack for the trip and even planned beyond what I ended up needing. I wanted to be prepared for any weather changes or even a delay that could take place during the hike.

I love the poster that reads "PLAN AHEA-D" with the "-D" placed by itself below the rest of the wording. It is indicative of having not planned well enough for the "D" to fit. Have we experienced the results of a failure to properly plan in life or been impacted by the lack of planning by others? That is not the case with GOD'S PLANNING!

In a psalm that presents sort of a history lesson on God's working in preparation for things to come we read. . .

"(16) When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, (17) HE HAD SENT A MAN AHEAD OF THEM, Joseph, who was sold as a slave." ( Psalm 105:16-17 ESV)

In spite of a chain of events that seemed to work unfairly against Joseph, his ending up in Egypt was God's plan for good; something Joseph himself later acknowledged. ( Genesis 50:20) Though Joseph was sold by his brothers, he was in reality SENT AHEAD of his brothers and the rest of the family as the means by which they were saved through a time of great famine. Even in ways that were not understood at the time, GOD WAS PLANNING AHEAD on behalf of His people.

God does not work in haphazard ways. Though we do not always see what He has in mind as we go through various scenes of life, He does have a plan with our greatest good in mind! GOD'S PLANNING for us goes back "before the foundation of the world" ( Ephesians 1:4) for the blessing that is ours in Christ.

Speaking of God in Paul's second letter to Timothy we read. . .

"(9) who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, WHICH HE GAVE US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE AGES BEGAN," ( 2 Timothy 1:9 ESV)

The Greek for the phrase "before the ages began" could be literally translated, "BEFORE TIMES ETERNAL." In view of GOD'S PLANNING that began before time, Paul could look to the future in great confidence ( 2 Timothy 1:12) and so can we as we recognize the manner in which God wisely and graciously sets HIS PLANS in place and brings them to fulfillment.

Even prior to His death on the cross, Jesus encouraged the disciples regarding the plan for them as He stated. . .

"(1) Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU? (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN AND WILL TAKE YOU TO MYSELF, that where I am you may be also." ( John 14:1-3 ESV)

A PLAN! A PLACE PREPARED! That is our God! May we surrender our lives to HIS PLAN so that we may ultimately receive the good He has in mind for us. HIS PLANS will come to fulfillment. ( Proverbs 19:21) We can count on it!

Have a great day TRUSTING OUR FUTURE TO THE ONE WHO HAS IT PLANNED!
Carl

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