Proverbs 19:21(NLT) tells us, “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” Making plans occupies much of our time on this earth. We make plans that involve everything under the sun; this includes work, recreation, relationships, and family. Some of us make plans to do good things that positively impacts those around us. There are also those who are self-serving, and they plot and plan to do evil things—things that breed negativity and add to the darkness of the world. Our whole lives, and indeed the quality of our character, can be summed up by the details of what we’ve planned. Even the person that considers themselves to be spontaneous plans to be exactly that. Their ‘no-plan’ is in fact a plan to have no plan. So, making a ton of plans is part of the human experience, but Proverbs 19:21 brings to our attention the reality that having a plan doesn’t guarantee success. This is a very important piece of information to know, especially when we’re planning a future with someone, and we shouldn’t be.
If you haven’t read the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, I strongly encourage you to do so. When you do, you can’t help but be in awe of the systematic way in which God created and designed the earth and its inhabitants. He didn’t keep it a secret. He wanted us to know that He’s a God of purpose. Everything He created and everything He does has a purpose. To show us the definitive brilliance, magnificence, and divinity of His plan, He has told us in Proverbs 19:21 that only HIS purpose will prevail. Let’s not sleep on this word ‘prevail’. It means to succeed with dominant victory against any and all forces. Who would dare come against this kind of power?!
God’s plan will always prevail. He is outside of time, and in no way limited by it. He has carved this thing called ‘time’ out of eternity just for our benefit. In other words, God has all the time in the world, and He is not moved by our shenanigans in the least bit. Our carrying-on will never cause Him to alter or change His plan. So, it is a futile exercise to think we can go against it and win at life.
Therefore, as we go about our daily business, it would greatly behoove us to make sure we check in with God. We need to make sure that our plans do not run in the opposite direction of His plan. Because if they do, the results we receive in life will not be satisfactory; in some cases, they will be catastrophic. We see this a lot when we have relationships with individuals that have no business being in our lives. Doesn’t mean they are bad folks. It means that despite their best efforts, they will do more to hinder the course of our destinies than help them.
Ephesians 1:11(NLT) says, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” Heavenly Father has predestined us! No one can do what you do, quite the way you do it. There’s a treasure in you that will continually and beautifully unfold, and the person that will aid the unfolding of all you are appointed to do is integral to your journey in the Lord. Knowing and having confidence in this piece of knowledge is key, because the strength of your conviction and commitment to capture your destiny determines the strength of the faith that will draw your blessing to your path.
Proverbs 14:12, 16:25 tells us that there’s a path before each of us that seems right, but it ends in death. It’s a really, really, really good idea to stay away from the path that seems right, because it won’t be right for us. This goes for people too. They can seem right, check off many of the boxes on our list, but if they’re not the person God has for us, we can’t make them right no matter how hard we try. They’ll cause us to spin our wheels, waste valuable time, and lose momentum and stamina on our journeys. Don’t depend on your plan when it comes to choosing a partner. Let God help you, because this is the only way you can be sure you are helping yourself.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Let God Help You Choose A Partner” written for Crazynlove.com ©2019. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!