After noticing the words "GOD'S PLAN" embossed on a child's t-shirt yesterday, the Holy Spirit prompted me to properly divide the true meaning of "God's Plan" vs "God's Purpose;" both for which He predestines us. Quite often in seeking to justify their own wrongdoing, people confuse God’s plan with His purpose. The two are fundamentally different. God's ultimate purpose has always been "reconciliation," which is to restore humanity to right relationship with Him. God's plan for achieving that purpose is the perfcet process which is laid out in the scriptures. However, issues arise and chaos ensues when man, abusing his free will, decide to interfere.
For example:
• It was not God's plan for Eve to choose to listen to a snake.
• It was not God plan for king David to commit adultery and murder.
• It was not God's plan for Pharaoh to enslave His people.
• It was not God's plan for the children of Israel to worship a golden calf.
While it all started with satan, it certainly didn't end there. Rather than focusing on his assigned role, satan attempted to steal God’s job by interfering in His process. That was not at all God's plan. Therefore, neither, idolatry, adultery, nor any other form of defiance is ever included in God's plan. For, it was because the children of Israel succumbed to impatience and misused their free-will to interfere in His plan that God implemented His corrective rod against them.
Many people tend to focus on themselves when qouting Jeremiah 29:11. Making it all about themselves, they misinterpret it merely as God's promise to bless them. But again, understanding is essential; it's about God, not man. Surely, Jeremiah 29:11 contain words of encouragement, but it's primarily God's admonishment during the time of the Israelites' punishment in Babylonian captivity. "I know the plans I have for you..." In other words: You don't know. But, because I created you, I KNOW what's best for you. Therefore, stop touching stuff.
Look at this way: Perhaps as a child you went to an upscale store with your mother. Even before entering the store, your mother would say, "Don't touch anything!" My mother would add, with a certain punitive look in her eyes, "or, I'm gonna touch you when we get back home." Whew! flashback. Well, our heavenly Father responds in the same way when man defiantly touches His perfect plan. Man's "hard-headed" interference is costly and causes a delay in God's purpose. That defiance kindles God's anger, at which point, sparing not the rod, He disciplinarily touches His daughter (the city). "Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
Certainly, God, who is omniscient has foreknowledge of all things. Yet, because of free will, man can choose between good and evil. However, just because a city chooses a certain behavior doesn't mean God ordains it. My hometown has even brought God's displeasure upon others because she won't stop interfering and even encourages others to interfere. Therefore, as any loving father would, God disciplines His daughters' rebelliousness. That's where prophecy comes in. Prophecy is like a mother's forewarning stern look.
For example:
• It was not God's plan for Eve to choose to listen to a snake.
• It was not God plan for king David to commit adultery and murder.
• It was not God's plan for Pharaoh to enslave His people.
• It was not God's plan for the children of Israel to worship a golden calf.
While it all started with satan, it certainly didn't end there. Rather than focusing on his assigned role, satan attempted to steal God’s job by interfering in His process. That was not at all God's plan. Therefore, neither, idolatry, adultery, nor any other form of defiance is ever included in God's plan. For, it was because the children of Israel succumbed to impatience and misused their free-will to interfere in His plan that God implemented His corrective rod against them.
Many people tend to focus on themselves when qouting Jeremiah 29:11. Making it all about themselves, they misinterpret it merely as God's promise to bless them. But again, understanding is essential; it's about God, not man. Surely, Jeremiah 29:11 contain words of encouragement, but it's primarily God's admonishment during the time of the Israelites' punishment in Babylonian captivity. "I know the plans I have for you..." In other words: You don't know. But, because I created you, I KNOW what's best for you. Therefore, stop touching stuff.
Look at this way: Perhaps as a child you went to an upscale store with your mother. Even before entering the store, your mother would say, "Don't touch anything!" My mother would add, with a certain punitive look in her eyes, "or, I'm gonna touch you when we get back home." Whew! flashback. Well, our heavenly Father responds in the same way when man defiantly touches His perfect plan. Man's "hard-headed" interference is costly and causes a delay in God's purpose. That defiance kindles God's anger, at which point, sparing not the rod, He disciplinarily touches His daughter (the city). "Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
Certainly, God, who is omniscient has foreknowledge of all things. Yet, because of free will, man can choose between good and evil. However, just because a city chooses a certain behavior doesn't mean God ordains it. My hometown has even brought God's displeasure upon others because she won't stop interfering and even encourages others to interfere. Therefore, as any loving father would, God disciplines His daughters' rebelliousness. That's where prophecy comes in. Prophecy is like a mother's forewarning stern look.
"Touch not Mine anointed and do My prophets no harm."
Summarized: Stop trying to steal God's job and just do the work assigned to you. He knows His plans.
Afterthought: The promised land was just on the other side of the mountain. Think of how quickly the first generation of Isrealites would've gotten to there, had they not touched God's plan. Rather, because they dismissively defied God, their generation died while walking in circles thereby severely delaying their entrance into what God had purposed for them.
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