Read Proverbs 16:9
In Christianity today, there is a tendency to be suspicious of planning and organization. A certain level of caution in these endeavors is probably healthy; however, a careful study of scripture reveals a God who is the best possible planner.
Sometimes His plans are only indicated by the context of the scripture reading. For example, consider how much thought must have gone into the complexity and inter-relationships of this world during its creation. As man has misused natural resources, he has discovered these inter-relationships, many of which he never understood or anticipated. There are so many details and discoveries which are still coming to light.
Often in the Bible, God’s plans for certain human endeavors are clearly spelled out. Consider the narrative on how to build the tabernacle, which is complete and highly detailed (Exodus). Job’s descriptions are even included for the purpose of moving the tabernacle (Numbers 4) and also for the priests (Leviticus and Numbers). Clear instructions for an orderly progression of the people from Mt. Sinai are provided (Numbers 1 and 2). Explanation of offerings, of feasts and festivals, of numerous laws and directions of all kinds resound through the first books of the Old Testament.
God led Joshua with explicit directions and even had him look back and assess progress in Joshua 13. We could point to Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. So the list could go on as God reveals Himself to His people through plans, directions, and specific details. It all came to a climax, of course, in God’s great plan of salvation, and even Revelation indicates that God already has a plan for the end of the age.
The greatest problems arise when we conceive our own designs and follow our own ways, for assuredly this can lead to doom. Biblical examples of this truth abound. There is the deceit of Ananias and Sapphira, the attempt to steady the Ark as David brings it back to Jerusalem, Joshua’s pact with the Gibeonites, Samson’s tragic choices, plus many more.
However, scripture also tells the story of numerous men and women who sought God for counsel and carefully obeyed whatever He directed. Consider Jehoshaphat’s victory in the wilderness (II Chronicles 20), Joshua’s defeat of Jericho, Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream and subsequent plans for the famine. Even when there seemed to be no way, God stepped in and provided all that was needed as He was trusted to do so.
The reason for our planning should not be to strengthen our control or to go our own way. Might we seek the God-who-plans for His blueprints of the future. Then might we be willing to follow these plans in every respect as He chooses to reveal them to us.
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