Is planning Biblical? I think we established several weeks ago that it was definitely Biblical. In the weeks that followed, we established that it was crucial for sound management (our job). We discovered that it was a pretty simple concept. We learned why it is important. We dispelled some myths and identified some pitfalls to beware of. Hopefully you made a commitment to plan.
Now we need to look at what’s required for successful planning from a Biblical point of view. Take a look at the following passages and see what kind of list you can put together:
Prov 6:16-19 _____________________________________________________________
Prov 15:22 ____________________________________________________________
Prov 15:26 ____________________________________________________________
Prov 16:3 ____________________________________________________________
Prov 16:9 ____________________________________________________________
Prov 21:5 ____________________________________________________________
Is 29:15 ____________________________________________________________
Is 30:1 ____________________________________________________________
Jer 6:19 ______________________________________________________
So, should we involve God in our planning? Is that what you call a rhetorical question? I guess a better question would be why should we involve Him in our planning?
Neh 4:15 ____________________________________________________________
Ps 33:11 ____________________________________________________________
Is 14:24 & 27 _____________________________________________________________
Jer 29:11 ___________________________________________________________
Now I want you to think about some ways you and your management team can actually involve God in your planning activities. Be specific.
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Proverbs 6:16-19 (NASB) 16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination [a]to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who [b]spreads strife among brothers.
Proverbs 15:22 (NASB) 22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they [a]succeed.
Proverbs 15:26 (NASB) 26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, But pleasant words are pure.
Proverbs 16:3 (NASB) 3 [a]Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:9 (NASB) 9 The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 21:5 (NASB)5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
Isaiah 29:15 (NASB) 15 Woe to those who deeply hide their [a]plans from the Lord, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”
Isaiah 30:1 (NASB) 30 “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the Lord, “Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And [a]make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin;
Jeremiah 6:19 (NASB) 19 “Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, The fruit of their [a]plans, Because they have not listened to My words, And as for My law, they have rejected it also.
Nehemiah 4:15 (NASB) 15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.
Psalm 33:11 (NASB) 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
Isaiah 14:24 New (NASB) 24 The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand,
Isaiah 14:27 (NASB) 27 For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?”
Jeremiah 29:11(NASB) 11 For I know the plans that I [a]have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.