How should believers respond when their plans conflict with God's will? The Moment Our Plans Collapse – 1 Kings 1:49 “Then all the guests of Adonijah were afraid and rose and went on their way.” • Adonijah’s guests had backed the wrong plan. • God had already decreed Solomon would reign (1 Chronicles 22:9–10). • When reality clashed with their agenda, fear hit, and they scattered. Why Our Plans Clash with God’s • Self-promotion: Adonijah “exalted himself” (1 Kings 1:5). • Short-sightedness: we see the moment; God sees the whole story (Isaiah 46:10). • Presumption: acting without seeking the Lord (Joshua 9:14). Scripture’s Counsel When the Clash Comes • Accept God’s overruling: “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21) • Surrender quickly: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) • Re-calibrate plans: “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:15) • Trust His redirection: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6) Practical Steps for Real-Time Surrender 1. Pause — resist the impulse to push harder. 2. Pray — invite the Spirit to expose motives (Psalm 139:23-24). 3. Search Scripture — does God’s Word endorse or correct this plan? 4. Seek counsel — wise believers help spot blind spots (Proverbs 15:22). 5. Release — lay the cherished plan on the altar (Romans 12:1). 6. Realign — embrace the path God opens, even if it rewrites your schedule. Living Proof in Other Lives • Paul in Asia: “the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them” (Acts 16:6-10) — he immediately turned toward Macedonia. • Jonah: resisted, hit a storm, then obeyed — Nineveh saw revival (Jonah 3). • Joseph: his dreams were delayed, not denied; God used detours to save nations (Genesis 50:20). Blessings on the Other Side of Surrender • Clear guidance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” (Psalm 32:8) • Sustaining peace: “You will keep in perfect peace the mind stayed on You.” (Isaiah 26:3) • Fruit that lasts: plans birthed by God’s will withstand opposition (Acts 5:39). • Eternal reward: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17) Takeaway When your agenda collides with God’s revealed will, drop the script, bow to His sovereignty, and walk the new road He marks out. Rapid surrender turns potential ruin into redeemed purpose. |
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