Wisdom – God’s Plan

Pastor Nathan continued his series of messages this week on the wisdom of God, speaking from Isaiah 46:9-10 NLT.  “Remember the things I have done in the past.  For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.  Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.  Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.”

If we want to accomplish God’s plan, we must learn to work with Him along with seeking His wisdom.  God has something prepared for us, and when we walk with Him, we learn more and more of His plan.  Psalm 37:23 states that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and God delights in his way.  God delights in every detail of our lives.  In Habakkuk 2:2-3 God instructs us to “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”  God has a vision for each of us individually, but He also has a corporate vision for His church.

Often God will show us the end result of the vision at the beginning, but the how to get there comes through the patient leading of the Holy Spirit.  There are often many, many steps in between, and God will use this time to get us prepared.  God will reveal the vision through leaders who are called to write it down, make it plan, and then run at the appointed time.

“When God calls, He shows the final destination, not the phases you must go through to get there.”  Bishop David Oyedepo

Pastor Nathan shared several examples starting with young Jesus at 12 years old (Luke 2:49-52).  Even at 12, Jesus knew what He was called to do; however, it was not realized until He was 30 years of age. David also was anointed at a young age to be King of Israel (I Samuel 16) but waited approximately 15 years for the vision to be accomplished.  Moses spent 40 years as a shepherd before he returned to Egypt to fulfill his destiny.  (Exodus 3)  Jesus commissioned 500 to wait for Holy Spirit to fill them before they go and win the world, but only 120 obeyed Him (1 Corinthians 15:6, Acts 1:4-5, 14, 2:4).  It is a temptation to get impatient and take matters into our own hands, but we must always follow the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit.  Learning from the story of Abraham and Hagar, when we take matters into our own hands it can prolong our promise and have lasting consequences for generations to come.  (Genesis 16)

Remember, you are only responsible for what God tells you to do.  God has a plan for everyone, but one must choose to allow God to work it out. (Matthew 22:14, Philippians 2:12-13). In Jesus’ day, many wanted to follow Him, but they were tied to their own lives.  Following Jesus takes faith.  God doesn’t tell us everything at once.  God doesn’t always make sense; He makes ways.  

We may wonder why things are moving so slow, but the plan of God has many moving parts.  Remember, God is working through you and me.  You have to give Him time; He is not McDonald’s.  God is a master craftsman.  He is not slow; He’s right on time.  He is not cheap; He is the best.  God might show us the finished house, but we must then wait for each step in how to build it.  This is a part of the wisdom that God imparts when we are filled with the Holy spirit. (Psalm 127:1)

“Your ability to discern the right timing in the pursuit of your calling is a great asset for speedy accomplishment.”  Bishop David O. Oyedepo

“Jumping the gun” means that we are trying to figure it out on our own.  We are not waiting for the steps the Holy Spirit wishes for us to follow.  The result may be that we are disqualified.  However, if we miss it, we can repent and the Holy Spirit will get us back on track (Romans 11:29).  When we follow His leading, “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMPC)