Proverbs 19:21(NIV)-Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Everyone has plans for their life. We can get so caught up in our plans and even plans made with other people. These plans can include: finances, careers, hobbies, ministry, friends, and family. We are a people of plans. Whatever your "plan" in life may be, at some point, your plans are going to fail. That may sound harsh, but it's the reality. When that does happen, and it's inevitable that it will, remember this:
When your plan fails, God's plan prevails.
There are a lot of different situations where your plan in life may fail. You may lose a job you felt God blessed you with. There may be a relationship or friendship that doesn't work out. You may get sick and ask God to heal you, but He doesn't. You may become burdened by the ministry God has called you to. Maybe you've prayed for the salvation of a loved one, but God doesn't seem to be answering your prayers.
Just because things aren't going your way doesn't mean they aren't going God's way.
Isaiah 55:8 (ESV)-For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
Divine Providence is "God's response to the needs of man that is preplanned, willful, and personal." (Esther: Seeing God When He is Silent)
Divine Providence is the unseen hand of God working in every detail of our lives. One great example of God's providence is found in the book of Esther. God's name is never mentioned in the book. Prayer and fasting is mentioned once. However, nothing that happened in this story could've been a coincidence. From the end to the beginning, God was in this story! Every single detail was planned by Him and for His purpose. The story eventually led to the deliverance of the Jews, but it didn't come without a cost. Vashti's banishment brought Esther to the kingdom and placed her in the position of queen. When Mordecai overheard the assassination plot against the king, his name was written in the chronicles to be remembered. Haman's status and arrogance led to Mordecai's honor. The king's decree caused Esther to step out in faith and bravery for her people. This ultimately led to the deliverance of the Jews and the destruction of Haman. Although God's name is silent in the story of Esther, His hand is at work in every chapter. His silence doesn't mean He isn't working.
Romans 8:28 (KJV)-And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
God didn't promise that everything in life would feel good or be good. Just that it would work out for the good and for His purpose. We may not understand why our plans don't work out, but God knows and He is in control of all things. We don't get to see the bigger picture, but we can trust God with the in-betweens. His unseen hand is always working-even when we can't see Him, hear Him, or feel Him. God's purpose outweighs our plans. God will accomplish His plan regardless of what we think or feel about it. God would have delivered the Jews with or without Esther. Esther had a choice and so do we.
Will we choose to trust the unseen hand of God or will we continue trying (and failing) to accomplish our own plans?
I can assure you of this: God's purpose will prevail. Most of the time, our plans don't work out for a reason. There is a greater plan at work in our lives and God often removes things from us for our good. We may not see it at the time, but God is always doing what is best for His people.
Trust God and you will begin to see His hand in everything...
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