In the Book of Isaiah Chapter 14, we can read God’s plans for Israel. Verse 24 of Isaiah 14 states, The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.” God told the prophet Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
How many of you believe that God has a specific plan for each one of us?? Absolutely!!
God speaks and lays out His plans for you and me in the Bible. Now, we have God’s own Words in our hands but God has given each one of us a free will to choose. Why should we follow God’s plans??
God is always right!
God is our Creator and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the author and perfecter of our faith! And the main reason why God has laid out His plans for us is God loves us and desires the best for us, even while here on earth, and for eternity in heaven!
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Several thousands of years ago, God spoke to Abraham about His plans and this same God speaks to us today as well. Please open your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 17; let us read v15-27……….
Abraham was told of God’s plans for Sarai (v15-16):
- From Sarai to Sarah, meaning Princess
- Sarah will be blessed
- Sarah will be a mother of her own son
- Sarah will be a mother of many nations
- Many Kings will come from Sarah
Remember, Sarah was barren. Abraham and Sarah were trying to have a baby for over 30 years!!
To Abraham and Sarah, having a child of their own was an impossibility! What an awesome God who can do the impossible! What awesome plans God had for this woman Sarah!
How can people say that God is a male chauvinist? God had great plans through a woman named Sarah!! Billions of people would not be on this earth if it weren’t for Sarah and God!
Now, how did Abraham respond to this plan of God?
Look again at v17……………
Abraham worshiped God by falling facedown.
We also note that Abraham laughed while he was worshiping God! Now, was Abraham laughing at God? Was Abraham laughing at himself? Was he laughing because he was trying to be funny, like many of us preachers? What kind of laugh was that?
Later on we will note Sarah laughing, which is a laugh of unbelief. Abraham’s laugh was not a laugh of unbelief. What kind of a laugh was it??
Abraham laughed because he was amazed at what God can do!! It was a laugh of amazement! As Abraham worshiped God and he said to himself, WOW God, you’re amazing!!
We have an amazing God who has plans for each one of us! Are you wowed by God? Aren’t there things everyday that we can experience and see how amazing God is? Just the other day as I was meeting with a gentleman outside, I noticed how beautiful the colors right in front of us; the blue sky, the green grass, the yellow, orange, and brown leaves on the trees, the glow from people’s faces walking by, the smiles from little children…….I had to stop our talking and just had to say, what a beautiful, awesome God we have! Thank you God!!
I encourage you on a daily basis to look for this amazing God.
You will find God on a daily basis!
And we have an amazing God who has plans for each one of us!
Now, did you notice what else Abraham did?
Look again at v18 of Genesis 17……………….
Abraham talked to God about his son Ishmael. Abraham prayed!
Remember who Ishmael was? Abraham and Sarah decided to go ahead of God and had a child through an Egyptian servant named Hagar. Ishmael was already 13 years old at this time. Abraham prayed and pleaded for God’s blessings on Ishmael. Abraham loved his son and was concerned for him! Parents, are we praying and pleading for our children?
Does God answer prayers?
Let’s look again at v19-21………
- God affirmed His plans through Sarah
- God answered Abraham’s prayer and promised to bless the descendants of Ishmael!
Abraham prayed a specific prayer and God answered specifically! God expresses His love by answering good prayers!
Now, who are the descendants of Ishmael??
Have you wondered why the Arab nations have most of the oil? The Arab Nations are blessed even today with all their riches, in population and in wealth!
Can we get beyond the hatred for the Arabs and instead see the power and love of God to people?
God’s plan has always been to love people!!
Whether Arabian, or Jew, or Oriental, or African, or Hispanic, or Aborigine, or even American, all people are God’s creation and He loves them all!
God is love!
Now, going back to Abraham, how did Abraham respond to God’s plans? We need to note 2 important truths in Verses 23-27:
a. Abraham and all his followers obeyed God!
They listened to God and followed what god said.
And what is the 2nd important truth in v23-27??
b. Abraham obeyed God that very same day!!
Abraham’s response to obey was almost immediate!
Let us summarize God’s Word for us today from this passage: God has His plans. God calls people to respond to His plans. Abraham responded with worship, amazement, prayer, and obedience! God will respond to people’s concerns but will always stick to His perfect plan!
What are God’s plans for you and me?
1. God loves you and me!
What is the verse we should memorize regarding God’s love for the world?? – John 3:16……………..
If you have never accepted God’s love by believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of God Jesus Christ for you personally, will you receive Jesus Christ into your heart today? Accept that you have sinned against God with your unbelief in Him; whether it is a sin from your heart, your mind, your speech, or emotions. We have all sinned against God. Jesus died for all those sins. Believe that Jesus Christ is your only Savior and God and you will be blessed for eternity!
And what are God’s plans for those who have already believed in Jesus Christ? The New Testament is full of God’s plans for us. One that I would like us to focus on is from Ephesians 1:11-12: In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
2. If you are a Believer of Christ:
God has chosen you!
God has plans for you!
God will work things out for you!
God will be praised through you!
You know, this is a good way to know if you are truly a believer of Christ. Is God being praised through you?
God has plans for you and me.
How will you respond to God’s plans which will never fail? Let us follow the example of Abraham. Now that we have heard God, let us worship Him, be amazed, pray about our concerns, and obey Jesus Christ.
Will you commit to doing this everyday?
Worship and be amazed! Pray to Jesus and obey!
Likely, God is telling you something specific right now, isn’t He? Abraham obeyed the same day he was instructed by God. Would you obey God today?
If you are physically able, would you kneel before the Lord Jesus Christ and take a moment now to quietly pray about these things………….
He is Lord! He is Lord! He has risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
