TITLE:  DO NOT PUT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN YOUR PLANS BUT IN GOD

TITLE:  DO NOT PUT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN YOUR PLANS BUT IN GOD

SCRIPTURE:

“He appointed military officers     over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.”

(2 Chronicles 32:6-8 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

        King Hezekiah heard of a looming attack against him and his kingdom.  He heard the mighty king of the Assyrians were about to invade his land.  So he made preparations to counter the threat ahead before it started. 

       First, he gathered his army generals and devise a counter plan.  Then he instructed them how to stregictically counter the looming threat.  The second part of their plans was blocking off water from the springs outside the city.  He gathered a larger group of people who blocked all the springs and the strema that flowed through the land.  Third stage of the plan was to repair all the broken sections of the wall and building towers on it.  He build another wall outside the ones he reinforced.  Fourth part of his plan was to make a large numbers of weapons and shields.  Lastly, he appointed military officers over the people. 

       But the most important part of Hezekiah’s plan wasn’t all that he puts in place but what he did after he planned against the invation.  This is so important as a believer.  The book of Proverbs advises us to always acknowledge God in our plans.  It also says that a man plans his ways, but it is God who establishes and confims his plans. 

       Hezekiah, brought the people together and encouraged them with these words: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.”

       We all need to hear the word of the Lord while we plan.  I have learned not to plan without having God’s word confirms and brings confidence in my plannings.  There are times that we mess things up.  There is fear and concerns involve in our plannings.  Sometimes we do not have the confident necessary to see if what we plan will come to pass. 

       Inviting our Heavenly Father into our planning allows us to gained confidence in what we plan. I love to hear these words again:

§  Be strong and courageous

§  Do not be afraid or discouraged at the size of your challenge

§  There is a greater power with you than what you are facing

§  Have the right perspective of what you are facing…its only flesh

§  But with you, is the Lord our God to help you fight your battles

Powerful words of encouragement indeed.  As a result, people gained confidence.  Never put confidence in your plans, but in God. 

APPLICATION:

       I am going to always remember these words Hezekiah spoke over his people and army for my life.  I need to plan, but always with the one who fights my battles for me.  I am going to plan with Jesus who gives me the courage and wisdom to pursue all that I planned out with him.  I can’t afford to lean on my own understanding.  I must trust Jesus with all of my heart. 

PRAYER:

       Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me today that I can plan but must keep my eyes on you.  I ask that you teach me how to abandoned myself in your care and leading.   Teach me to not to be wise in my own eyes, but to trust in you always.  I pray all these in Jesus name, Amen!