God Has the Best Plan
Notes
Transcript
God Has The Best Plan
God Has The Best Plan
Judges 7:1-23
Judges 7:1-23
Introduction:
We may make all the plans that we wish, but God always has the final say in the matter. The key is to find out what His plans are and then make them our plans.
Far too many times we experience the folly of trying to make our own plans without consulting God first.
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Several scenes play themselves out in the Word of God where men made certain plans only to find that God’s plan was the best:
1. Numbers 13-14: Israel sent spies into the land, but all they saw were the giants; after 40 years of wandering they found out that God’s plan was the best.
2. Goliath had brought the armies of Israel to a standstill as he threatened them time and again, yet as David walked out on the battlefield the nation of Israel was to find out that God’s plan is always best. 2 Samuel 17
3. After a long night of fishing and catching nothing all Peter wanted to do was to go home and get some rest (Luke 5). Then Jesus shows up and asks him to go back out and try it again. Peter found out that God’s plan is the best.
4. When Jesus told His disciples that the crown, the cross, and the crucifixion were in His future; Peter rebuked Him, but when Jesus died on the cross to pay for sins forever Peter found out that God’s plan is always best!!!
Gideon and the army of Israel had a plan, but they were going to find out that God’s plan is best, it may not be the most popular one, it may not seem like the smartest plan, it may not even seem reasonable, but the sooner we realize and accept the fact that God’s plan is always best then we are at the place where God can use us.
I. The Realities of God’s Plan
I. The Realities of God’s Plan
A. It is a different plan-vs. 2-7
A. It is a different plan-vs. 2-7
1. Gideon planned to have 32,000 soldiers
2. David was just a shepherd, Job was a wealthy man, Mary and Joseph wanted to have a normal family but God had a different plan.
3. The test of a consecrated life is to be willing to submit to God’s plan when it contradicts our plans
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
B. It is a declared plan-vs. 9-14
B. It is a declared plan-vs. 9-14
1. He is getting ready to attack a force that is many times larger than his own, verse 12. But, God is not asking for a leap in the dark, he is asking for a clear step of faith. v. 13-14
1. He is getting ready to attack a force that is many times larger than his own, verse 12. But, God is not asking for a leap in the dark, he is asking for a clear step of faith. v. 13-14
2. When it comes to you and me, the Lord expects us to walk in obedience to His will, but He never asks for a blind leap in the dark. He always asks His children to respond to His plans by them taking a clear step of faith.
2. When it comes to you and me, the Lord expects us to walk in obedience to His will, but He never asks for a blind leap in the dark. He always asks His children to respond to His plans by them taking a clear step of faith.
3. Now, God uses many means to speak to His children!
3. Now, God uses many means to speak to His children!
a. He speaks through His Word, Rom. 10:17.
a. He speaks through His Word, Rom. 10:17.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
b. He speaks through the Spirit, Acts 13:2; 16:6-8.
b. He speaks through the Spirit, Acts 13:2; 16:6-8.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
c. He speaks through other believers, Acts 9:17-18.
c. He speaks through other believers, Acts 9:17-18.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
d. He even speaks through the circumstances of life, Gen. 24:12-16.
d. He even speaks through the circumstances of life, Gen. 24:12-16.
12 And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. 15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
Note- God will always direct you plainly! He will not leave you in doubt!!!
Note- Knowing His plan requires prayer, holiness and patience.
C. It is a distinct plan-vs. 15-23
C. It is a distinct plan-vs. 15-23
1. Gideon and the men were to surround the Midianites with a trumpet and a candle.
1. Gideon and the men were to surround the Midianites with a trumpet and a candle.
2. No man would have ever thought of a plan like this!!!
2. No man would have ever thought of a plan like this!!!
3. If Gideon and his men would have disobeyed then they would have lost out on God’s best plan.
3. If Gideon and his men would have disobeyed then they would have lost out on God’s best plan.
Note-How many times do we miss out because God’s plan is distinctly different than the way that we think?
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Church every service, Tithe and give to faith promise, spend time reading Bible and praying every day.
Raising our families to be different than the world?
II. The Requirements of God’s Plan
II. The Requirements of God’s Plan
Note- if a person is going to follow God’s plans then 3 steps are required.
A. Requires surrender
A. Requires surrender
Note-Surrender usually comes from a heart that recognizes the other force is much more powerful.
Note-Surrender usually comes from a heart that recognizes the other force is much more powerful.
1. Surrender of my goals, desires, wants to His goals, desires, and wants.
1. Surrender of my goals, desires, wants to His goals, desires, and wants.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2. God is looking out for my best interest.
2. God is looking out for my best interest.
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
B. Requires submission
B. Requires submission
Note-Submission usually comes from a heart that is willing to follow another, because that is God’s plan.
Note-Submission usually comes from a heart that is willing to follow another, because that is God’s plan.
Surrender for the Christian has to do with a recognition of God’s power; Submission for the Christian has to do with a recognition of God’s plan.
Surrender for the Christian has to do with a recognition of God’s power; Submission for the Christian has to do with a recognition of God’s plan.
A Godly Christian will surrender to God’s power; and will submit to God’s plan.
1. 32,000 to 22,000 to 300? What is God doing?
1. 32,000 to 22,000 to 300? What is God doing?
If we want to see God’s best in our lives then it will require submission on our part!!
2. Obedience is important to God.
2. Obedience is important to God.
22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
C. Requires steadfastness
C. Requires steadfastness
Note-if Gideon and his army were to see victory then they would have to humble themselves under God’s hand, surrender to His plan, obey His will and proceed in faith!
1. Took great faith for 300 men to take no weapons, to blow the trumpet, to break the pitcher and to shout!!!
1. Took great faith for 300 men to take no weapons, to blow the trumpet, to break the pitcher and to shout!!!
2. If you and I are going to experience victory in our lives it will require great faith!!!
2. If you and I are going to experience victory in our lives it will require great faith!!!
3. God always honors faith because faith always honors God!!
3. God always honors faith because faith always honors God!!
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
III. The Rewards of God’s Plan
III. The Rewards of God’s Plan
Note- when God’s people follow God’s plan there are certain rewards that will come.
Tell of the battle itself:
Tell of the battle itself:
Trumpets were used in military maneuvers and typically given to the commander, the lights would reveal the placement of the trumpets.
Trumpets were used in military maneuvers and typically given to the commander, the lights would reveal the placement of the trumpets.
The shout to battle would be given by the commander to the troops that were in his group.
The shout to battle would be given by the commander to the troops that were in his group.
The Midianites in the valley would hear the trumpets, see the lights on the hills surrounding them, hear the battle cries and assume not that 300 men were attacking them but that 300 divisions of troops were attacking them!!!!
The Midianites in the valley would hear the trumpets, see the lights on the hills surrounding them, hear the battle cries and assume not that 300 men were attacking them but that 300 divisions of troops were attacking them!!!!
A division consists of between 10,000-25,000 soldiers.
The Midianites felt as thought over 3 million soldiers were about to attack them!!!!
A. God’s enemies are vanquished-vs. 21-22
A. God’s enemies are vanquished-vs. 21-22
1. The Midianites turned on one another and killed 120,000 of their own troops.
1. The Midianites turned on one another and killed 120,000 of their own troops.
1 Why do the heathen rage, And the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure.
2. The enemy fled not from the massive display of force from God’s people, but when the Hand of God moved!!!
2. The enemy fled not from the massive display of force from God’s people, but when the Hand of God moved!!!
B. God’s people are victorious-vs. 23
B. God’s people are victorious-vs. 23
Note- when we walk in His plan, which is the best plan then we will experience victory!
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
C. God’s name is valued (treated with honor; respect)
C. God’s name is valued (treated with honor; respect)
1. No great army or great battle but God receives all of the glory!!
1. No great army or great battle but God receives all of the glory!!
2. Everything that God brings into my life is for my good and His glory!!!
2. Everything that God brings into my life is for my good and His glory!!!
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Many times we determine the plans that we are going to follow without ever consulting God.
Maybe there are some plans that God is changing in your life right now and you have been fighting against the direction that He is leading you.
Remember: God’s plan may not be understood by you or others but it is always the Best Plan!!!
Remember: God’s plan may not be understood by you or others but it is always the Best Plan!!!