Faith vs. Planning
By Erik Farstad
November 20, 1997
"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." Proverbs 21:5
Faith. Many mistaken faith with good planning. In times of trial or difficulty, you may hear people say, "I’m just going to wait on the Lord, He’s faithful to provide." Yes He is, but many times we need to take some steps of action before His faithful provisions are given. There is a difference between planning and faith. Sometimes the two work together.
A time for faith. In difficult times we often worry. It is at this moment that you need to apply our faith. What are you worrying about? Do you not trust God and His plan for your life? Worrying shows that you have little faith! Give over your worries to Him, they are not for you to carry.
Christ lived and died to carry our burdens. Take some time now and thank Him for dying for you. Stay in faithful prayer and continually seek His wisdom. Ask Him to open and close the doors, and then you must faithfully walk through them. This is how and where He provides the strength and courage to get through your troubles.
A time to act. Planning and knowing when to act in those times of trial can be difficult. But you need to do you part and prepare. Take the necessary steps and actions. How do you plan? Read the word, spend time in prayer and look to Christ’s life as an example through your difficult times. Once you have done your part, been faithful to work and put in your effort, the Lord will point you in the right direction! (But remember in His time, not yours) Many times He blesses us without us doing a thing. But He wants to see our faith in action, He wants to see that His children are willing to work and not become just "Lazy-fill-me-up-with-God Believers!"
Remember Abraham? After 75 years, God provided Him with a son. Then God told Abraham that He had to take him to the top of the mountain and sacrifice him! What!? Trusting God Abraham took his son to the mountain top and placed him on the altar. He drew is knife and raised it above his only son’s chest. As he started to swing his arm down, the Lord stopped Abraham. Abraham noticed a ram in the bushes. The Lord provided Abraham a way out, a
replacement sacrifice for his son. The provision did not come until the Lord saw Abraham, swinging the knife, ACTING OUT HIS COMMANDS!
Let this be your prayer today:
Dear Lord, in my times of trial may I always remember to turn to you. I believe in your provisions, that you have the best life in store for me, even if what I see before me doesn’t make sense. I seek your wisdom to plan for my future, knowing that you will provide that which is in your will. Lead my feet to step on the stones of which you provide. Lord open the doors of my future and close the doors of my past. Thank you Father that you always keep me in your loving care. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Are you ready to take the step of faith? To believe and act out His commands? To plan for your future? For you will surely profit if you do!
In Him, "E"