The Plans Of The Lord

THE PLANS OF THE LORD

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

For the word of the LORD holds true,

and we can trust everything he does.

He loves whatever is just and good;

the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth.

The LORD merely spoke,

and the heavens were created.

He breathed the word,

and all the stars were born.

He assigned the sea its boundaries

and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.

Let the whole world fear the LORD,

and let everyone stand in awe of him.

For when he spoke, the world began!

It appeared at his command.

The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations

and thwarts all their schemes.

But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever;

his intentions can never be shaken.

In a complicated book or movie, it can be hard not to lose the plot and get lost in the details. An interesting character might distract from the central story line. Or a particular scene might hold our attention too long or for the wrong reasons. And sometimes we just don’t have the patience to see how the story will unfold. We do this in our lives, too. We lose the plot of the story we’re in. We get distracted. We can begin to think the story is all about us and our circle of family and friends. We focus on the pain we’re experiencing. And although those things matter, we lose sight of the grander story that is getting written over the course of our lives and history. From the moment sin entered the world, God has been making all things new—working to restore and redeem everything through Christ. That’s the story. Plans or plots or schemes or scenarios that fall outside God’s plans, which stand firm forever, either are distractions and diversions or will be used by God to restore and redeem. How might our lives be shaped if we stayed clear on the plot and looked at all things through the lens of his plans to restore and redeem?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that particular word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• Reflect on the most significant relational upheaval you’ve experienced in your life. How does that experience fit into God’s plans to restore and redeem all things?
• Who in your life needs a reminder of the story they’re in because of having gotten distracted or diverted from the plot? Ask God to bring someone to mind and give you the words and grace to encourage them.

Lord, I get so distracted! I get pulled into mini-dramas and side stories. I get overwhelmed by the sins and failures of my past and worries about my future. Don’t let me forget the plot! You’re making all things new, even in this moment, working to restore and redeem. As I look at those around me, give me eyes of love and restoration. Show me what grace I need to extend and truth I need to speak. Give me words that will build up and encourage. Let me be part of your plans. Let me be an instrument in your hands. Amen.