In what ways can we ensure our plans align with God's will today? An Opening Snapshot: 2 Chronicles 18:34 “The battle raged all day long, and the king of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. And at evening he died; the blood from his wound had flowed to the floor of the chariot.” Ahab’s last hours remind us that a plan made against God’s counsel—even when camouflaged in cleverness—ends in collapse. His choice to ignore the clear prophetic warning of Micaiah (vv. 16-17) brought inevitable disaster. From this sobering verse we draw timeless guidance for shaping our own plans under God’s hand. Lessons from Ahab’s Tragic End • He sought affirmation, not revelation (vv. 5-6). • He reshaped the advice he received instead of reshaping himself to fit it (v. 27). • He relied on disguise rather than repentance (v. 29). • God’s word still stood unshaken; the random arrow found its mark (v. 33). Why Alignment Matters • Psalm 33:11 — “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.” • Proverbs 19:21 — “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.” God’s plans are not merely preferable; they are unstoppable. Aligning with them means moving with, not against, the prevailing current of His sovereignty. Practical Ways to Align Our Plans with God’s Will 1. Soak Every Decision in Scripture • Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Regular, systematic reading keeps His revealed will before us, guarding against blind spots that ruined Ahab. 2. Seek Unvarnished Counsel from God-Fearers • Proverbs 11:14 — “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” • Invite believers who will echo truth even when it collides with your preferences, unlike Ahab’s hand-picked prophets. 3. Submit Plans to Prayerful Surrender • Proverbs 16:3 — “Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.” • James 4:15 — “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” • Set plans before God, consciously yielding the right to revise, delay, or discard them. 4. Check Motives for Kingdom Priority • Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” • Ask: Does this plan advance Christ’s reign, or merely my comfort and reputation? 5. Look for the Spirit’s Peace and Confirmation • Colossians 3:15 — “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” • The Spirit’s settled peace operates as an internal umpire, signaling when a course is in bounds with God’s will. 6. Embrace Obedience Over Outcome Control • Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” • Leave results with God; focus on faithfulness today. Ahab tried to engineer outcomes through disguise, but obedience would have spared him. 7. Cultivate a Repentant Reflex • 1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” • Quick repentance keeps us pliable, preventing hardened patterns that steer plans off course. Spotting the Warning Flags • Pressure to rush rather than pray • Disregard for Scripture that confronts the plan • Dependence on secrecy or manipulation • Loss of inner peace or unity among mature believers When these signals appear, pause and realign. Encouraging Assurance • Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Christ renews minds so we can recognize, relish, and walk in His will. Unlike Ahab, we can finish well, confident that our steps and strategies have been ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). |
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