Go! And Trust In God's Plan - Proverbs 19:21 Series

Go! And Trust in God's Plan - Proverbs 19:21

Introduction:

Have you ever made plans only to see them fall apart? Have you ever set out on a course of action, believing it was right, only to find yourself facing obstacles and detours? As humans, we love to plan. We map out our lives, set goals, and pursue dreams. Yet, there is a greater plan at work—the divine plan of God. Our sermon today is based on Proverbs 19:21, and we will explore what it means to trust in God's perfect plan.

Proverbs 19:21 (NLT): "You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail."

1. The Reality of Human Plans

We are natural planners. We plan our careers, our families, our finances. Yet, our plans are limited by our understanding. Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." This reminds us that while planning is not wrong, we must acknowledge that God has the final authority.

The Hebrew word for "plans" in Proverbs 19:21 is mahashabot (???????????), which means "thoughts, intentions, or purposes." It signifies the best-laid strategies of human beings. However, the word for "purpose" (etsah, ?????) refers to God’s counsel, which is firm and unchanging.

We must hold our plans loosely and seek God's direction. James 4:13-15 instructs us: "Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town... How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? ... What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’"

Pastor Rick Warren once said, "God’s plans for your life are far bigger than your dreams." Trusting in God's plan means surrendering our limited vision for His eternal purpose.

2. God's Sovereign Purpose Prevails

Proverbs 19:21 assures us that no matter what we plan, the Lord’s purpose will prevail. This is a powerful truth! God’s will is supreme. We see this in Isaiah 46:9-10: "Remember the things I have done in the past... Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish."

The Hebrew word qum (????), meaning "to stand, arise, or be established," describes how God's purpose "prevails"—it is unshakable, unwavering, and victorious. Unlike human plans, which can falter, God’s purpose will always be accomplished.

Imagine a captain steering a ship. The passengers may make plans for entertainment, meals, and relaxation, but the captain determines the final destination. In the same way, God determines our ultimate path, even when we try to navigate our own way.

When we align our lives with God's purpose, we find true peace. Romans 8:28 assures us: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Trust that even when your plans fail, God’s purpose is still unfolding.

3. Surrendering to God’s Will

If God's purpose always prevails, then our response should be surrender. Jesus modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." (Luke 22:42).

The Greek word for "will" here is thelema (????µa), meaning a deliberate desire or purpose. Jesus submitted to God’s purpose, even though it involved suffering. When we surrender to God’s plan, we trust that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Charles Stanley once said, "Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him." True trust in God’s plan means letting go of fear and embracing faith.

Ask yourself—do you trust God’s plan even when life doesn’t make sense? Surrendering to His will doesn’t mean life will be easy, but it means we are walking in His purpose. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us: "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace."

Call to Action:

1. Seek God’s guidance in all your plans. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

2. Be willing to let go of your plans when they don’t align with God’s purpose. Romans 12:2 urges us: "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you."

3. Trust that God’s plan is for your good. Jeremiah 29:11 reassures us: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."