Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) — 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

God has a plan. He is moving the cosmos inexorably toward that end. The question is – are we in sync with it or not? If not, no matter how many things we’ve conceived and attempted, all will be lost. How we need to learn to make our plans – around and on the foundation of, His.

Here then is something of great importance – not to place all of our joy or satisfaction in whether or not our plans come to pass. To submit joyfully to Christ’s interventions and to yield to His unfolding plan even at the expense of circumventing of our own. His plans are always better. Always best. And when the 2 collide, how we need grace to abandon our own easily.

This does not mean that simply because we seek His will and ways, that all will be smooth sailing. It was when the prophets of old were most fully in God’s service that they met their steepest opposition. And the Disciples were never more perfectly obedient than when Jesus got them into the boat in Luke 8 and said: “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” That obedience put them right in the middle of a terrifying and life-threatening storm. Yet, in a demonstration of Jesus’ sovereign authority – the storm was stilled, and the destination reached. Later, their obedience would lead each of them to a martyr’s death.

But this they knew – and we can know it too. When all is said and done, the plans and purposes of the Lord WILL stand. And so it is, His plan and purpose in saving us, and bringing us to completion in Christ Jesus cannot fail. No matter who or what purposes otherwise. He who began the good work in us, WILL complete it until the Day of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the Lord WILL stand. Trust Him.