Planning is not something unique to human beings. In fact, God himself has plans that surround and impact both our daily lives and our eternal destinies, as well as the future of the entire world. His plans are of his own free will and desire (Acts 4:28), wonderful (Isa. 25:1), definite (Acts 2:23) from of old, faithful and sure (Isa. 25:1), and stand forever to all generations (Psa. 33:11). They include both plans of certain wrath for his enemies (Jer. 18:11; 49:20; 50:45; Mic. 4:12) as well as plans of blessings and hope for the righteous (Jer. 29:11). From the plans of the tabernacle (Ex. 26:30) to the plan of Jesus going to the cross (Acts 2:23), to the plan of having all things unite in him, (Eph. 1:10), God deserves and is worthy of our praise and exultation. Thank God that he has chosen us to be included in his amazing plans!
The Proverbs of Solomon
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 3:5-6
Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. 3:29
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him… a heart that devises wicked plans. 6:16, 18
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. 11:14
The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 12:5
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. 12:20
Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. 14:22
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 15:22
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. 16:1-3
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. 16:9
Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. 16:30
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. 16:33
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. 19:21
The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. 20:5
Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. 20:18
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. 21:5
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. 21:30-31
A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is
victory. 24:5-6
Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 24:8-9
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint. 29:18a
Considerations in the Planning Process
Planning can actually be easy, enjoyable, and rewarding, especially if you remember to consider the wisdom as found in the book of Proverbs. By simply following seven simple and proven facets of the planning process, you will greatly increase your confidence, peace, and possibilities of success. Before you make any plans, why not consider what the Master Planner, God himself, has to say on the subject?
Involve God in the process.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 3:6
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. 16:3
Don’t rely on your own understanding.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 3:5
Consider your neighbors.
Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. 3:29
Don’t deceive by devising evil.
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him… a heart that devises wicked plans. 6:16, 18
The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 12:5
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil. 12:20a
Do they not go astray who devise evil? 14:22a
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. 16:2
Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.16:30
Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 24:8-9
Consult with many counselors.
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. 11:14
Without counsel plans fail. 15:22a
The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. 20:5
Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. 20:18
A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. 24:5-6
Don’t rush your plans.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. 21:5
Recognize God’s sovereignty.
He will make straight your paths. 3:6b
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 16:1
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. 16:9
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. 16:33
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. 19:21
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. 21:30-31
The Eight Advantages of Godly Planning
Unless someone is quite convinced of the worth of spending prayer, thought, and time in the planning process, there is little hope that he or she will actually change the way they fashion their plans. In God’s wonderful kindness, he actually let's us know the real and distinct advantages of doing things his way. Apparently, God has a plan for us to have plans!
Straight paths
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 3:6
Victory
In abundance of counselors there is victory. 24:5-6
Confidence
But in an abundance of counselors there is safety. 11:14
Success
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 15:22
Abundance
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. 21:5
Joy
But those who plan peace have joy. 12:20
Blessings
Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. 14:22b
Vision & Order
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint. 29:18a
Selected Echoes from the Scriptures
The Pentateuch
Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain. Ex. 26:30
The Books of History
“Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned it from days of old what now I bring to pass.” 2 Kings 19:25
Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king’s house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the LORD and in his own house he successfully accomplished. 2 Chron. 7:11
The Books of Wisdom
He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. Job 5:12
May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! Ps. 20:4
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! Ps. 33:10-12
The Prophets
LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isa. 25:1
But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands. Isa. 32:8
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer. 29:11
The Gospels
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. Luke 14:28-32
The Epistles
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." James 4:13-15
