God’s Plans are not Always What They Seem

“²⁵Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass that you should turn fortified cities into heaps of ruins,” – 2 Kings 19:25 (ESV)

And upon hearing this, I am overjoyed at God’s plan. I will be an overwhelming, resounding success and no one will be getting in my way that I will not conquer. My head is swelling and I am reaching god status thanks to God.

But, that is only the beginning of the plan as I will soon find out, not that I am told, but due to my arrogance, I am blinded by what I see as the end result.

“³²Therefore this says the LORD concerning the kin of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. ³³By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the LORD. ³⁴For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.” – 2 Kings 19:32-34 (ESV)

What a turn of events. I was granted all the power to conquer “fortified cities” and now I am not going to be able to take the city of Jerusalem? But I was told, and there was this plan?

The thing I take away here is that God’s plans are more intricate that we could ever imagine. He knows our heart and therefore knows the ultimate outcome, whereas we are only able to see that which is in front of us and that He allows us to see in the moment. I have to remember that God is leading the plan and I am but just a part of that plan set to do the work He has for me. I may feel as though I understand, but God’s plans are not always what they seem. He gives us just enough to accomplish the part in that moment and once we have, we move on to the next with the full goal of pleasing and glorifying Him at every turn. When we do, the plan as we see it will become clearing as we go and we will realize the ultimate goal and result of God’s plan when we arrive.

How have your plans not finished the way you thought they would? What thoughts have you given to how the plan started and how you arrived at the finish? What if you just took on your part of God’s plan as opposed to believing you know where He is going or taking you?