Introduction
Destiny is characterized as the events that are pre-ordained or set to happen to you over the course of your life. Your design is a plan produced by God for your destiny before it is actually occurs.
There is an old adage that says, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Although you won’t find it put just that way in the Bible, you will find many accounts of both effective and poor planning. The Bible teaches that God is a God of both purpose and planning. While we have learned that God controls our Destiny. The destiny of our success however, is controlled by us. It is urgent that we realize that God has given us a model for effective and efficient planning and for planning ahead!!!
Scripture Teaching: Nehemiah 2:1 - 3:32
Key Verses: Nehemiah 2:11-17 . . .
Nehemiah needed a workable plan with a secure strategy to successfully accomplish the desire (the vision) God had placed in his heart–to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Notice that God placed the vision in Nehemiah's heart and not in his head. Although planning was to be done with his intelligence (the Kingdom Intelligence that God had given him), the vision was placed by God in Nehemiah's heart. It was placed where his passion lay.
Luke 6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Proverbs 23:7
For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
There are four New Testament scriptures that indicate indirectly that belief takes place in the heart (Mark 11:23; 16:14; Luke 8:12; 24:25).
Before Nehemiah could come up with a plan, however, he had to do his homework. He had to take an assessment!!! He had to evaluate through the process of documenting in measurable terms, knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs, available resources and the resources he needed to acquire. Nehemiah knew that he his work was cut out for him–the settlers’ morale was low, and the neighboring kingdoms didn't want the Jews to get ambitious and rebuild. In the midst of all of this Nehemiah took into consideration all of this as he carefully devised his plan according to the vision that God had placed in his heart.
Nehemiah arrived quietly in Jerusalem and spent several days carefully observing and assessing the damage to the walls. Nehemiah kept his mission a secret, surveying the walls by moonlight to prevent enemies from being alerted to his plans. Only after careful planning would he go public with his mission. A premature announcement could have caused rivalry among the Jews over the best way to begin or a uprising in his enemies that could have delayed his building. Nehemiah didn’t need brainstorming sessions; he needed one plan that would bring quick action. Following this time of careful assessment, he confidently presented his plan. The Strategy used by Nehemiah brought the people together unanimously with increased cooperation, improved morale and ultimately the successful completion of the project.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PLAN AHEAD?
Proverbs 20:4 . . . If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest.
Luke 14:28 . . . Don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?
Planning for the future is necessary to prevent disasters. Planning is also a necessary part of living.
Proverbs 13:16 . . . Wise people think before they act.
Proverbs 14:8 . . . The wise look ahead to see what is coming.
Proverbs 22:3 . . . A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Planning and foresight will help us prepare for danger ahead so that we can avoid disastrous consequences.
DOESN’T PLANNING AHEAD CONFLICT WITH TRUSTING GOD TO LEAD US?
1 Chronicles 28:12, 19 . . . David also gave Solomon all the plans he had in mind for the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple, the outside rooms, the treasuries of God’s Temple, and the rooms for the dedicated gifts. . . . “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”
Rather than conflicting with trust in God, planning helps us put our faith in God into action.
Genesis 11:4 . . . “Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies-a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world.”
Psalm 33:10 . . . The Lord shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.
Making plans without referring to God and his will is a recipe for frustration and disaster.
HOW DO I GO ABOUT PLANNING AHEAD?
Exodus 25:40 . . . “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”
Exodus 26:30 . . . Set up this Tabernacle according to the design you were shown on the mountain.
Follow God’s revealed will when you make your plans.
Genesis 11:4 . . . Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies-a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world.
Don’t make plans that conflict with God’s revealed will.
1 Chronicles 28:19 . . . “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 . . . Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
As we seek God, he will guide us in making our plans.
Isaiah 14:26-27 . . . I have a plan for the whole earth, for my mighty power reaches throughout the world. The Lord Almighty has spoken-who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?
Romans 8:28 . . . We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
God will work through our plans, and in spite of them, to accomplish his ends.
Matthew 6:34 . . . Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
James 4:13-16 . . . Look here, you people who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.
Don’t try to plan too far ahead: you don’t know what the future will bring.
PROMISES FROM GOD:
Proverbs 19:21 . . . You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
Ephesians 1:9-10 . . . God’s secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-everything in heaven and on earth.