God does truly have a Plan

Let's take a quick look at the blueprint
"The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:" Matthew 1:1 Matthew says it in his opening statement in the book of Matthew. The word "genealogy"  and  "genesis"  seem to come from the same root. Did you get that? The birth certificate Matthew gave was of the "beginning" of Jesus Christ. think about that and don't forget it. The fourteen generations from Abraham to David; and the fourteen generations from David till the carrying away captive into Babylon; and the fourteen generations from the carrying away captive to Christ tell us about Jesus'  beginning. It was because of God's plan fulfilled in the womb of Mary his mother, that Jesus had a beginning....
 
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Check out these Web Sites

21st Century Reformation Web Site. Dan Gill and his wife Sharon have put together a great clearing house of material to help a Christian grow in the knowledge of God's Word. Their website is meticulous. You will enjoy surfing the many posts on 21stcr.org. Read More
 
Focus on the Kingdom will keep you coming back again and again. Don't wait; make sure you click on the picture and begin an adventure in Bible Study you always wanted to do but were not ready for at the time. Anthony is always ready to give an answer of the hope of the life of the age to come. Carlos keeps the website and the YouTube channel filled with every conceivable Biblical question you might have. Read More
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GOD’S FAMILY PLAN

God created and ordained the first family. He was the one who determined that it “was not good for the man to be alone”. Jesus referred to the story (his-story or history) when asked about divorce. Matthew 19:4-6 He pointed to God’s original plan when he said, “From the beginning it was not so”. Matthew 19:8 God’s original plan was for well-ordered families, consisting of a man, his wife, and children. According to Jesus, this is God’s plan. He ordained that the man join to his wife, become one flesh (glued together) and not separate. Matthew 19:6 The world; and it seems “the church” as well; is quickly moving away from this ideal revealed in the God’s plan. Please review the story (his-story) below.
 
  • Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." Gen 2:18 (NASB)
 
  • So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. Gen 2:21-24 (NASB)
 
GOD’S FAMILY PLAN IN THE BIBLE

God’s plan for the family can also be seen in his dealings with Abraham. One of the things God particularly noticed was Abraham’s dedication to his children and his family. To use a colloquial term, “God seemed to be impressed with how Abraham related to his family”.
 
  • For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Gen 18:19 (KJV)

God’s family plan can also be seen in the first and great commandment.
 
  • "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NASB)

God’s family plan can also be seen in his special commandment to children’s children:
 
  • Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12 (KJV)

Paul the apostle referred to that as “the first commandment with a promise”, when referring to the commandment to honor our parents. Ephesians 6:2 Jesus emphasized this commandment also. Matthew 15:4 The model of Christ and the Church mimics the husband and wife model presented in Genesis. Ephesians 5:23 We would do well to recognize the investment God has in his “family plan”. The Apostle Paul picked up on this model in his letters to the churches in the New Testament.
 
  • For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 3:14-15 (KJV)
 
  • For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household. Ephesians 2:18-19 (NASB)

The disciples noticed that John the Baptist taught his disciples how to pray. “Teach us to pray,” they asked Jesus. Luke 11:1-2 Notice how Jesus immediately brought up our family relationship with God. “When you pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven,” he said. When God’s plan becomes our plan we begin to see and accept the fatherhood of God, the sonship of Jesus, as well as our own family relationship with the Father. To cry out, “Abba! Father!” is a very tender way of addressing God. Addressing God as “my Father” was Jesus’ favorite way of referring to God.
 
  • For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:14-15 (NASB)

The purpose of this article is to view the rich tapestry of God’s plan for his creation. To view it, not as a hodge-podge of hits and misses, but to see it as organized in God’s mind. To explore how He revealed this truth to his family. Isaiah understood this truth when he said:
 
  • But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father, We are the clay, and Thou our potter; And all of us are the work of Thy hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NASB77)
 
JESUS OUR BROTHER
  • For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Hebrews 2:11-13 (KJV)

These are two references to OT scriptures. Psalms 22:22 and Isaiah 8:18. The purpose is to see how Jesus and his followers are a part of God’s Family Plan. Notice how he made this point as he refers to “my Father and your Father”; and to “my brethren”:
 
  • Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren, and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" John 20:17 (NASB77)

Luke picked up on this relationship in the book of Acts. He referred to “brethren” some 55 times in the KJV referring to those who are a part of the family of God. David made a point in Psalms which I think needs emphasis at this point. We are God’s people. We are the sheep of his pasture. God made us. The premise to the theory of evolution is that we in some way made ourselves what we are. We did not make ourselves. Evolution teaches us that through natural selection, we made ourselves what we are, over a period of millions of years. The more we see ourselves as God’s creation; as a part of his family plan; the more settled we can be as his children and the more we can realize who we are and what we are doing here.
 
  • Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalms 100:3 (KJV)
 
GOD’S PLAN REVEALED IN THE SLAIN LAMB

As “sheep of his pasture” we can focus on him who John the Baptist called the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world”. (John 1:29) We can also contemplate the ramifications of being a part of the “little flock” which Jesus said his Father’s pleasure will be to give the kingdom. Luke 12:32 I bring this out so as to further emphasize God’s family plan. Particular notice should be given to God’s plan as revealed to the Lamb; who then revealed that plan to John in Revelation for the edification of the churches. Revelation 1:1
 
  • “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev 13:8 (KJV)

This reference helps us to understand how Jesus could pray for his glorification planned by God “before the world was”. That glorification was in God’s plan before the foundation of the world.
 
  • "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5 (NASB)
 
  • "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 (NASB)

That’s the glory Jesus referenced when he spoke of:
 
  • “When he shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels”; Matthew 16:27
  • “When the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory”; Matt 19:28 (NRSV)
  • “When they will see 'the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven' with power and great glory”; Matt 24:30 (NRSV)
  • “When he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels”; Luke 9:26 (KJV)
  • And that Isaiah saw when “He saw His glory, and he spoke of Him”; John 12:41 (NASB)
  • The glory we should by “perseverance in doing good seek for”. Romans 2:7 (NASB)
  • The glory we hope to be revealed in “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed”. Colossians 3:4 (NASB)
  • The glory which we are “called through the gospel to gain”. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 (NASB)
  • The glory we hope to receive “When the Chief Shepherd appears.” 1 Peter 5:4 (NASB)
  • The eternal glory the God of all grace has called us unto. I Peter 5:10
 
THE PLAN REVEALED TO ABRAHAM

All of this is contained in the rich tapestry of God’s plan for his children. The plan revealed to us through God’s Word. The plan revealed to Abraham when God promised him the land wherein he was a stranger: but not to him only. The promised included his family. He is the Father of many nations.
 
  • Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Romans 4:18
  • He believed in the promised seed which was Jesus. Galatians 3:16
  • He believed in the resurrection of the dead. Hebrews 11:19
  • He believed he would inherit land, which he had not received when he died. Acts 7:5
  • He looked for a city whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10
  • He believed that what God promised he would perform. Romans 4:21
  • He believed that God would provide a sacrifice. Genesis 22:8
  • He believed God would make of him a great nation. Genesis 12:2
THE CONCLUSION TO THE EPHESIANS AND THE GALATIANS

Paul wrote to the Ephesians about God the Father’s Family Plan. God’s intention before the foundation of the world included his only begotten son. He called it a spiritual blessing. A blessing ordained of the Father before the foundation of the world with the intention of his family being holy and blameless before him in love. The adoption of his children is destined to happen because of their brother, Jesus. This plan pleases the Father; it is His will. He has willed it to be. His glorious grace (grace which is full of God’s glory) is freely bestowed on his children through his “Beloved” son. Matthew 3:17 and 17:5. The voice from heaven called him “my beloved son”. God was saying, “I love him”, which is no doubt what that means. The voice also said, “Listen to him”.
 
  • Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6 (NRSV)

To the Galatians Paul wrote of the time-table established by him who “Knows all his works from the beginning of the world”. Acts 15:18 In that time-frame, when the clock ticked to the proper hour, God sent forth his Son made of a woman so he could bring redemption to God’s family. That redemption goes much deeper than mere semantics. God sends forth the Spirit of his only begotten Son; his beloved Son; into our hearts crying the tender term, “Abba!” Such brings us into a family relationship.
 
  • But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7 (NASB)
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GOD HAS A KINGDOM PLAN
 
It is now 2011. You know? American is a mess! Will we ever be able to work ourselves out of this current state of affairs? A lot of people are beginning to wonder. It’s taken us 235 years to create this predicament. (1776) Look at our country’s standard of living; our personal freedoms; our opportunities. Even our broken health system is probably the best in the world. We give people who are in this country illegally more rights, privileges, and benefits than most countries in the world give their natural born citizens.

Not only is America a mess—look at Mexico. Anarchy, wouldn’t you say; on our border. How many hot-beds are there in the Middle East now; Iran and North Korea with an atomic bomb; surely not? What other evil lurks around the bend? I suppose our forefathers felt a bit overwhelmed as we do today during the Second World War; and they had to deal with rationing. I think I still have a part of an old ration book from when I was a baby.

Not only is our health system broken; so is our banking system, our jobs system, our housing system; even our family system is broken. And it only took us some few years to dismantle what it took us 235 years to put together. We’ve got hurricanes coming up the east coast; tropical depressions forming in the Gulf of Mexico; earthquakes occurring in our seat of government; fires destroying thousands of acres; floods; and these are things over which we have no control. But they have contributed during the year to our overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Do you think God might be trying to tell us something? Has he got our attention, do you think? The whole world is watching and some are probably hoping that this experiment in democracy fails. How long before another 9/11? Someone said that 9/11 changed America forever. I think, if we were to be honest, we would have to admit that America has been changed for a long time, and I don’t mean to the good.
 
  • God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. 6 God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. 7 God said, "I'll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I'm sorry I made them." 8 But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah. 9 This is the story of Noah: Noah was a good man, a man of integrity in his community. Noah walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 As far as God was concerned, the Earth had become a sewer; there was violence everywhere. 12 God took one look and saw how bad it was, everyone corrupt and corrupting—life itself corrupt to the core. 13 God said to Noah, "It's all over. It's the end of the human race. The violence is everywhere; I'm making a clean sweep. Gen 6:5-13 (MSG)
  • If my calculations are correct, It only took 1656 years for the flood to come upon the earth (Genesis 5)

It’s amazing what a mess of things man can make in such a short period of time. What do you think is the problem? The problems are complex, but can be summed by Paul in the NT. Notice particularly Paul's words, "people are going to be self-absorbed". This seems to be a contributing factor in much of the list that follows.
 
  • Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. 2 As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, 3 dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, 4 treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. 5 They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people. 2 Tim 3:1-5 (MSG)
     
These people Paul talks about are relatives, friends, and government officials. We watch them on TV every day and see them on a regular basis.
 
AN IMAGE OF GOLD
 
Particular notice can be seen in God’s revelation to King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, chapter 2. The image representing world governments was great and bright, and the image was terrible. It started out as a head of gold, the most precious of metals. It didn’t take long for the image to digress into silver, a precious metal but of lesser value than gold. The breast and arms of the image, deteriorated from silver to brass. Its belly and thighs were a useable but not a precious metal. Inferior to the brass the legs offered only iron—again a useful metal but hard and unyielding as it broke in pieces, subdued and bruised the people of the world. Last of all the feet of the image was part iron, mixed with clay. I feel like this last part was meant for our day.

Our world is a mixture of partly strong and partly weak countries which can only get along when it meets their purpose. In America we have and still do enjoy being a strong country, but how long will that last? In view of what we see around us do you think that status is going to last? In this country we are rapidly deteriorating into a society in which 50% support the other 50%. Now just how long do you think that can be sustained?
 
GOD HAS A BETTER PLAN
 
But you can see from the image revealed to Nebuchadnezzar that God has a better plan. He did not allow the world to continue in the mess it was in before the flood. He will not allow this world to continue in the mess it is in today. In the image, (Daniel 2) during the days of the iron mixed with clay; the partly strong and partly weak countries; a stone which was cut out without hands, collided with the image upon the feet and broke the iron and clay and broke them into pieces. You will also note that the gold, silver, brass, iron, and iron/clay were broken to pieces together becoming like the chaff in the summer threshing floor and the stone that smote the image on the feet became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Filled the whole earth, not heaven.

Could it not be that in our day the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which Daniel 7:27 says will not be left to other people but will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High? Jesus spoke of this event:
 
  • "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matt 25:34 (NASB)

God revealed that plan when Gabriel announced the birth of a son to Mary:
 
  • "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Luke 1:31-33 (NASB)

This is the same child Isaiah announced:
 
  • For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)
GET EXCITED WITH GOD
 
Notice particularly “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” This indicates to me that God is excited about this prospect. That excitement can be seen in Jesus statement in Luke. From the very beginning God intended better things for his creation.
 
  • "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." Hab 2:14 (KJV)

It will give our Father great pleasure to give us the kingdom he promised in Daniel 7:27.
 
  • "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:31-32 (NASB)

Isaiah spoke of that joy: a time when God will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad among his people. Moses said that the Lord will rejoice over His people for good. Zephaniah prophesied that God will exult over them with joy. He will be glad in Jerusalem; He will come and be among his people, John said. "The zeal of the Lord will perform this". Isaiah 9:7
 
  • "Then the Lord your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your ground, for the Lord will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers; Deut 30:9 (NASB)
  • In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: "Do not be afraid, O Zion; Do not let your hands fall limp.17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:16-17 (NASB)
  • "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. 18 "But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. 19 "I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying. Isaiah 65:17-19 (NASB)
  • And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. Rev 21:1-5 (KJV)
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GOD HAS A PLAN

If you look at-the world,
And you really care:
Bout all of the suffering,
You could almost despair.
There is one thing,
we must understand
God is still God:
God has-a plan.

(God Has a Plan as sung and written by Joel Hemphill..used by permission)
 
  • To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Eccl 3:1-11 (KJV)
     
"Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season)", often abbreviated to "Turn! Turn! Turn!", is a song adapted entirely from the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible (with the exception of the last line) and put to music by Pete Seeger in 1959. Seeger waited until 1962 to record his own version of it, releasing the song on his The Bitter and the Sweet album on Columbia Records…The lyrics are taken almost verbatim from the book of Ecclesiastes, as found in the King James Version (1611) of the Bible (Ecclesiastes 3:1), though the sequence of the words was rearranged for the song…Wikipedia.

Is it reasonable to assume that if God did create the world and the universe (and he did), it would be at the very least comforting to know that in the midst of all the confusion surrounding the world, GOD HAS A PLAN. All of His creation factors in to that PLAN. Some might find such a concept to be a stretch, but I believe it is true. Peter the apostle of our Lord was quick to remind those who have a problem with God’s plans for the future to be mindful of a very important fact. See 2 Peter 3:1-2.
 
  • For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:5-7 (NASB)
     
Peter suggests that we not loose our handle on history. God was involved before the flood and he will continue to be in the future. Deny that if you will but just for a minute consider the results if you’re wrong. James reminds us: Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. He has things put together in his mind. As the apostle Paul contemplated the unfathomed God he wrote to the Romans. Especially note Paul’s statement, “From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.”
 
  • Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD , OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever . Amen. Romans 11:33-36 (NASB)
     
It might be good at this point to put things in Moses’ perspective.
 
  • 1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.2 Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. 3 You turn man back into dust And say, "Return, O children of men."4 For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night. Psalms 90:1-4(NASB)
     
Could that not be a reason to pray “Our Father which art in heaven”? Our God was Adam’s God. Our God was David’s God. God gave birth to the earth. It all emerged from his mind through his word; i.e. “and God said.” Moses tried to put it in human terms. From everlasting to everlasting God is God. God said to Adam, “Dust thou are and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:19. Our lives stretch only during our generation but God has been man’s dwelling place in all generations. To help us understand it Moses said “a thousand years in God’s sight are like only yesterday when it passes by.” He CAN and he DOES have a plan.

God awakens our understanding through Isaiah the prophet:
 
  • "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'.” Isaiah 46:9-10 (NASB)
     
God’s own assessment rings out and begs our review. He alone is able to declare the end from the beginning. He has a purpose. There is a reason. The better we understand his purpose and seek to bring pleasure to him through the way we live, the more our lives will make sense.

God has a plan
He’s working it out.
He knows how to fix it,
There is no doubt.
His wisdom and power,
Are greater than man.
There’s comfort in knowing;
God has a plan

(God Has a Plan as sung and written by Joel Hemphill..used by permission)

Most of us, seem to think that God, as he observed the mess that Adam and Eve made, quickly putting together a plan of redemption. Don’t cut God short. GOD HAS AND HAS HAD A PLAN. When we are told that God has a purpose we are being reminded that he has a plan.
 
  • And to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, Ephesians 3:9-11 (NASB)
     
As a builder has a blueprint: a traveler marks his map and a doctor contemplates an operation, even so God has a plan. Things appear to be willy-nilly and helter-skelter at times. There is a purpose and God knows what it is and chose in due course to share that intelligence with his creation. This enlightenment he has chosen to preserve for his creation through his documents found in the Bible.
 
  • The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, "Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand, 26 "This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations.27 "For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?" Isaiah 14:24-27 (NASB)
     
As human beings, when our creative juices start to work: we conceive, we plan, we design, we draft, we sketch and diagram. We are able to do that because we are part of God’s creation. He created us in his image. He designs so we design. He plans so we plan. That is why we have automobiles on the highway: planes in the sky: and a computer on our desk. The list goes on and on. How much planning had to be done to create the solar system? God planned it and created it. He formed it in his mind before ever it was a reality. The Creator of the universe confronted Job with these questions:
 
  • "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? Job 38:4-5 (NASB)
     
God allows us to get into his mind through what he has revealed to us in the Bible. He wants us to know at least a portion of his design. The Bible gives us a glimpse at his sketches for the future. I am reminded of this message to the Corinthians:
 
  • But just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD , AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN , ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” I Corin. 2:9-10
     
When he was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah God said:

Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Gen. 18:17. Why should I keep from Abraham what I am going to do? God had a plan and he wanted Abraham to understand what he was about to do. This gave him time to remember his nephew Lot, and perhaps breathe a prayer on his behalf.
 
  • Surely the Lord GOD does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 (NASB)
     
The prophets got the message from God and human beings got the message from the prophets. God then sees that we get the revelation so we might know what he is up to. We truly serve a wise and benevolent God; our heavenly father. God revealed prophecies to us not to make us prophets to help us to be ready for what he has determined to be done. Consider Peter’s words:
 
  • "But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Acts 3:18-21 (NASB)