Doesn’t planning ahead conflict with the idea of trusting God to lead?
1 Chronicles 28:12, 19David also gave Solomon all the plans he had in mind for the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple, the outside rooms, the treasuries, and the rooms for the gifts dedicated to the Lord. . . . “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”
Nehemiah 2:11-16So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate. The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration.
Rather than conflicting with trust in God, planning helps you put your faith in God into action. God will lead you, but it is your responsibility to make it happen—to recognize his lead, make a plan, and follow through. God’s work doesn’t happen simply by chance; he needs capable people who are willing to plan ahead and do the work.
Proverbs 12:5The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
Proverbs 15:22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
Proverbs 16:9We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Matthew 6:31-33“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
The purposes behind our plans are often more important to God than the plans themselves. Seeking to honor him, humbly getting wise advice, and pursuing a righteous life will confine most of our plans to steps that God will bless.
Proverbs 3:5-6Trust 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.
God’s direction comes in more than planning. He often doesn’t guide us until we are in motion. When an open door or a clear path lies before us, if we are trusting God, we can and should step forward confidently. He can steer us or stop us if we turn in the wrong direction.
Matthew 6:34“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Though some may try to use these words from Jesus as an argument against planning, that was not the point of the teaching. If worry motivates our planning, then we may be assuming that we can control events, but if planning is a way we can trust God and prepare for the future, it is far better approach than worrying with no plan at all.
