Today’s thought is to remember our plans are not His plans. There’s so much more God sees that we are unable to see.
On Monday Night Football Sept. 23, the Washington Commanders faced the Cincinnati Bengals. The game ended with the Commanders winning 38-33. It’s the story of how each quarterback got to the NFL that is the focus. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow transferred from Ohio State to LSU in 2018. He was a backup at Ohio State before joining LSU. He also had a great career and won the Heisman Trophy in 2019.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels transferred from Arizona State to LSU in 2022. Like his Monday night opponent, he had an awesome college football career. He also won the Heisman in 2023. The one thing they have in common is their plans changed. They started in one place but ended in another. Yet, they still reached their desired destination.
Our Plans Are Not His Plans: Isaiah 55:8 Provides Perspective
The Book of Isaiah is prophetic, providing hope and a call to those who desire the Lord. It says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. The Lord desires us to understand the bigger picture of his nature: He is Sovereign. To describe the Lord as sovereign means he has absolute control. For the Believer, this is “big picture” thinking. It also provides comfort in those times when we do not know what to do when our plans change.
When considering the sovereignty of the Lord we can remember the Lord is Sovereign and I have hope. The Bible reveals to the reader in various places the Lord’s Sovereignty. In Psalm 115:3, the Bible says, says, “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” In other words, God is in complete control. He is not limited and the plan of life for us unravels according to His plan. He is not limited and when you reach your desired goal it is according to his perfect will. Remember: Our plans are not His plans.
When things are going wrong, or not our way, remember our thoughts remain based at the human level. We do not know what’s going to happen in the day. We try very hard to keep to the plan(s), but when they change we have to trust the Lord’s guidance. The core of The Lord’s words to Isaiah is to remember the bigger picture and who can see it. Only the Lord sees what’s next and why. That’s why we focus on trusting God and not our understanding. This is why understanding our plans are not His plans is important.
Our Plans Are Not His Plans: Next Steps For Peace
When we realize our plans are not His plans, helps us apply some good biblical wisdom for our day. A Proverb that connects to understanding Isaiah 55:8 is Proverbs 3: 5-6. It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”. When we do this the Lord paves the way to help us get to our destinations in life.
So yes, have a plan for the day ahead. Get up, get a cup of coffee, catch up on the news, and get started. However, when things don’t go according to plan remember the Lord is in control of everything. That will help soothe the nerves and bring perspective. Whatever happens, God can use it for His glory and to your benefit. When we accept that our plans are not His plans, we can trust the road ahead and know God will lead the way.
A Prayer To Trust God With Our Day
Lord, thank you for hearing my prayer. There are times when I forget that I’m not in control but you are. I’m working so hard to get things right. I’m trying to achieve my dreams. Help me remember today you see and know my heart’s desires and know what’s best for me. Help me trust in your will alone. Help me remember what I think and do is not what you think and do. Help me be at peace with that and trust in it. Lord, help me be obedient and trust the road you pave ahead of me even when it is one less traveled. Amen.
Also Read:
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- Positive Friday Blessings From Psalm 23:6
- Thursday Morning Prayer to Family and Friends
- Daily Prayers for the Week: Simple Prayers for Every Day
Pastor Rick Penn is an ordained pastor, writer, and the founder of Get-Prayer.com, a resource built to help believers develop a consistent, grounded prayer life.
With more than 20 years of preaching the Gospel, Pastor Rick brings deep theological training and lived pastoral experience to everything he writes. He holds a Master of Divinity from Virginia University of Lynchburg, an M.A. with a concentration in New Testament Studies from Baptist Bible Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Averett University.
His writing reflects a personal commitment to making prayer accessible to everyday Christians. Whether he is writing a prayer for someone in a hospital waiting room, walking through fear about the future, or sitting down with a blank prayer journal for the first time, Pastor Rick writes from a place of both theological grounding and pastoral care.
Pastor Rick hosts In The Moment, a Christian television program airing on Roku through AIM Christian Television. Viewers can watch the show at aimchristian.com/yourmoment and listen as a podcast on Spotify.
Before founding Get-Prayer.com, he served in the U.S. Navy, where he built his communication skills as a writer, editor, and public affairs professional. He now applies those disciplines directly to ministry and teaching.
Every article on this site reflects his core conviction: Prayer is not a performance of faith. It is the daily practice that holds everything else together.
Pastor Rick Penn is the author of all content on Get-Prayer.com.
Rick currently resides in Pennsylvania, where he continues to teach, write, and encourage believers to deepen their walk with God through prayer and the study of Scripture.
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