God's Got A Plan

Because God’s plan is bigger than everything, there is nothing that can stop God’s plan for you. One of the most familiar verses in the spells out God’s plan for all of God’s children:

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28–29 ESV

In verse 29 we see that the ultimate plan for anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ is to be conformed to the image of Christ. The quest for finding purpose in your life is to understand God’s plan for your life. You must align your purpose with God’s plan, less your purpose will remain undiscovered and your plans will be unsuccessful.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 16:9 ESV

9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Clearly, the wise Solomon knew something about finding purpose. He knew that it was the Lord who held the plans and the purpose for our lives. Paul gives us the eventual plan of God, and that is for all of us to be conformed to the image of his son Jesus Christ. Understanding God’s plan prevents us from wasting the most productive years of our lives by asking a few simple questions. Will my plans bring me closer towards God’s plan for my life? Would God be glorified in the plans I have for my life? Understand that God’s plan for your life is the best plan for your life. God’s plan is the best plan because by seeking his plan you will have his support.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Jesus taught his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount that if they made seeking him their priority he would be their provider. He doesn’t just provide, but he will protect. Verse 28 of explains that God will take every situation in our lives and use it to accomplish his plan for our lives. Notice he says that “all things” work together for “good”. When he says “all things” he means exactly that, even the bad things that happen are working together for the good. But what is good? Good according to whose standards? Well because God is in control and God is the one who holds the plans, then we know that good is defined according to his standards. Things that may not seem good for our perspective are good for us according to God’s plan. Good is anything that will cause us to grow in faith and become more like Christ.

When we didn’t get something we had been praying for it didn’t feel good to us, but it was good for us.

When we lost something we had been desperately trying to hold on to, it didn’t feel good to us, but it was good for us.

When we tried and tried to do things our way and the harder we tried it seems the harder we failed, it didn’t feel good, but it was good for us.

Paul says that God can use pain to help accomplish his plan. Not only can he use our pain to help accomplish his plan. God is so powerful that he can use our enemies to accomplish his plan. God will use the very people who are trying to bring us down to lift us up higher. God can cause all things to work together for good.

After Paul says these things and explains the process God uses to work these things he asks a rhetorical question. What then? Shall we say to these things? A rhetorical question is used to persuade, influence, or build confidence in the audience that what you are saying is true. Paul says:

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Then follows it up by asking the question: “What then, shall we say to these things?” He wasn’t really looking for an answer because he gives us the answer, “If God is for us, who is against us?” Paul didn’t even have to say that much all he really had to say was, God’s Got a Plan. I want you to take that with you through the valley’s and over the hurdles of life. Whatever situation you find yourself in just remember, God’s Got a Plan.

When people trying to tell you what you can’t do, remember God’s got a plan.

When the devil is trying to convince that life isn’t worth living, remember God’s got a plan.

When people don’t appreciate how much you do for them, remember God’s got a plan.

When you can’t see how you’re going to make it over the hump, remember God’s got a plan.

I want to break down the plan for you in easy three parts. Understand the condition, the consequence, and the confidence in the plan.

I. Condition

The plan of God is _______ but the plan isn’t for everybody. Paul answers his rhetorical question with a conditional statement.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Emphasis on the word if. Some commentators argue that the word if actually means since and it’s not really conditional but it’s saying since God is for us, then no one can be against us. We know that if God is on our side then it doesn’t matter who isn’t on our side. But Paul makes it clear in verse 28 that it doesn’t necessarily mean that just because you have breath in your body, you have the Lord on your side. In verse 28 he gives two very clear qualifications or indications that you’re on the Lord’s side and he’s on your side. Two teams play a game and at the end of the game only one team wins. To be considered a winner it all depends on whose team you are on.

The Lord has a plan for everybody that is on the Lord’s side. In verse 28 Paul spells it out for us there are two qualifications. Number one, you have to be called by God. Two, you have to love God. That’s it those are the only two qualifications that you need.

How Can I Be Called By God?

Paul gives, two qualifications, one of which we have no control over. Notice the last clause in verse 28:

“for those who are called according to his purpose”

Who God calls is completely up to God. The good news is God doesn’t choose people the way we choose people. He doesn’t look for people who “deserved” to be called. He calls people not by their credentials, he calls them according to his Grace. God’s calling is not limited to a certain group of people who have lived up to a certain standard of living. God calls the least expected and the least respected to carry out his plan. He called a drunk to build an ark. He called a murderer to lead his people out of Egypt. He called fishermen to become fishers of men. He called a Christian killer to become an evangelist. He called a sinner like me to preach his Gospel. There are no qualifications for being called by God. He can call anybody no matter where they are or what they’ve done.

How do I know I’ve been called?

He calls us to something but he also calls us something in order to show us that we’ve been called. God calls us sons. That’s who Paul is referring to when he speaks of those who have been called according to his purpose. He is talking about those who have been adopted by God as sons, through faith in Jesus Christ. How do I know then, that I have been called by God and adopted by God as a son?

Romans 8:16 ESV

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Romans 8:16

The Spirit that lives in us is our proof that we have been called by God and that we are a part of God’s plan. We know that we have been called by God into his plan and into his purpose because our desires have changed. We no longer seek to do the things of the flesh but we set our minds to live according to spirit. We no longer live in fear because we have been given the spirit of power, and love, and of a sound mind. It’s a wonderful thing to be called by God, because once you have been called by God you receive the Spirit of God. The Spirit in you bears witness with God’s Spirit that you are a son of God and you’re indeed a part of God’s plan. I thank God that I don’t have to be qualified to be called.

Love God

However, there are two conditions that must be met before we can consider ourselves a part of God’s plan. God through his unconditional love and unmerited favor calls us, but we must love God. Our love for God is our proof that we’ve been called by God. We love God in response to his Grace. We love God because of his mercy. We love God because he first loved us. We know that we have passed from death to life because we have love for the brothers. We know that we are part of God’s plan because we love God. It’s that simple really. You don’t even have to spend anytime worry about being called that’s God’s job. You just love God. That’s one sure fire way to know that all things are working together for your good. That should be the focus of your daily devotion, to love God more. God is certainly faithful to those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

God’s plan is for all those called by God, and all those who love God. In the face of adversity you can say God’s Got a Plan. How do you know? Because I love the Lord. I know I’m part of God’s plan because I love God. David said it like this: “I Love the Lord He heard my cry”.

II. Christ

There are conditions to God’s plan, but secondly, there are consequences that come with the plan. Consequences without God’s plan, but benefits with God’s plan. Paul writes that If God is for us, and we meet that first condition if we are called by God, and we love God. He then asks, “who is against us?” Again, Paul uses a rhetorical question to express his convictions about the plan of God. There are two types of people. Those who are for God, and those who are against God. There’s no in between. God is for those who love him. God is against those who do not love him. The plan of God works in favor of all of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. The plan of God works against those who do not love God. Why choose God’s plan? Because you cannot win without it.

Paul asks, “who can be against you?” The answer is simple: no one. But he then goes on to explain the great lengths God has gone and is willing to go in order to see to it that his plan for you will not be overcome.

Romans 8:32 ESV

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:33 ESV

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Jesus Christ is proof that God is willing to go to the greatest lengths to make sure that all things work together for the good. Here we are at another one of Paul’s questions. But this time he wants the audience to think about the sacrifice that God made through Christ. If you can imagine that if he would send his only begotten Son to die for us all would he not supply everything else we needed in order to fulfill the purpose laid out for us? To really appreciate the benefits of God’s plan you’ve got to first understand how much the gift of his son meant to him and what it means for you.

What the gift meant to God

The gift meant for God that he had to give up his one and only son. He gave his Son which indicates again that we did not earn him, but God graciously gave him. But why?

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

God gave up Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for our sins because in order for his plan to be fulfilled in us as his Sons. He first had to give up his Son who was the firstborn among many brothers, as Paul explains in verse 29. Our sins separated us from God and we were left out of God’s plan. Before Jesus died we were the problem, but after Jesus death we became a part of God’s plan. However, God is not a reactionary God he doesn’t learn knew things and then react to them. God had a plan laid out for us to conform us to the image of his son in eternity past and he knew that it would require him to give up his only begotten Son as a sacrifice. God took care of the one thing that prevented us from being part of the plan, sin. He made it all possible by sending his Son to die for us.

What the gift meant for us

Before we could be a part of God’s plan God required a sacrifice. God is so gracious and so loving and so merciful that he himself provided the sacrifice that he required. The worst feeling in the world is when people make plans to do something but you can’t be a part of the plan because you don’t have the money to be a part of the plan. People make plans to go to a nice restaurant or to go on a nice vacation but you can’t go because you don’t have enough money to be apart of the plan. They didn’t consider your situation or ask you whether or not you could afford to be a part of the plan. They just made the plans and you were left out. Thank God for Jesus because when God made plans he also made provision.

God knew that I would fall short of his glory, so he gave me Jesus.

God knew that at my best I was just a filthy rag, so he gave me Jesus.

God knew I couldn’t afford the penalty for my sin, so he gave me Jesus.

Jesus Christ was the payment and the provision for the plan. Without Jesus the plan wouldn’t be possible for you and I. The text says that he gave Jesus up for us all. That’s good news, but it doesn’t stop there. Paul then asks, “if he gave up his most prized possession to make the plan possible will he not also give us everything we need to pursue the plan?” If God was willing to give up the greatest thing for the sake of his plan he will give us all things to see the plan completed. If God was willing to give me a Christ, I know he will provide everything else I need. Christ is God’s proof that he’s committed to the plan. So no matter what the situation may look like just look at Christ and remember, God’s Got A Plan.

You may not have enough money, but God’s Got a Plan.

You may not have the ACT score , but God’s Got a Plan.

III. Confidence

If we have Christ we have proof that God has a plan. If God was willing to sacrifice his Son in order to secure our salvation, then God’s plan should help us live in Confidence. Confidence is the result of being in God’s plan. Because God has a plan, and you have Christ there is no person or thing that can stop the plan that God has laid out for you. Notice I said God’s plan for your life, not your plan for your life. Since God’s plan belongs to God and he is the creator of the world and everything in it, there is nothing in the world that can stop his plan. He is the one who called everything into existence, and nothing that he caused to exist has more power than him. Also since there is one person who died for us all that we may be a part of God’s plan, there is nobody who can take us away from God’s plan.

Romans 8:1 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Nobody

You are in God’s plan, you can live in confidence that nobody can stop God’s plan for your life. Jesus Christ was the one who made provision for you to be in the plan. Jesus Christ is the only one with enough power to take you out. But he won’t because he promised in his word:

John 6:37 ESV

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

Verses 33 and 35 explain the promise that since God is the one who justified us and Christ is the one who freed us from condemnation then it doesn’t matter who is against us. They can’t bring us down. Theologically speaking our salvation is secure because we have been justified by God, who is the judge, and the only one who can judge us. If we are justified then we are accepted by God. If we are accepted by God we are no longer enemies of God, or against God.

Romans 5:1 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

God justifies us or accepts us as raggedy as we are, through faith in his son Jesus Christ. After being justified Christ intercedes for us at the right hand of God mediating for us. Every time a charge is brought against us Jesus goes to God on our behalf to grant us forgiveness and keeps us in God’s plan. Nobody no matter how powerful they are, no matter how important they think they are. Nobody can snatch you away from God’s plan.

Nothing

There is no person that can snatch you away from the plan of God, but there is also no thing that can snatch you away from the plan of God. No circumstance, no situation, no event, nothing can stand in between you and the plan because of the love that Christ has for you. One of my favorite verses in the entire Bible:

Romans 8:35–37 ESV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Christ’s love for us makes us conquerors over all things.

Death can’t stop me, because Christ loves me.

Trials and tribulations can’t stop me, because Christ loves me.

Sadness can’t stop me, because Christ loves me.

The love of Christ gives me confident in whatever state I find myself in. His love will never fail me. He won’t leave me nor forsake me.

His blood will never lose it’s power. It reaches from the highest mountain. If flows from the lowest valley. The blood that gives me strength from day to day it will never lose it’s power.

What then shall we say to all of these things? God’s Got a Plan.

Conclusion

God’s plan requires that certain conditions be met, but God is the one who qualifies us. We just have to love God. God’s plan gave us a Christ. Christ was a sacrifice for God from God, but Christ was a gift to all of us. In Christ God’s plan for us became possible because of his provision. Jesus Christ was the proof of God’s commitment to his plan. I can walk in confidence in God’s plan because I have the Christ.

Psalm 27 ESV

Of David. 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:1–4 ESV

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

I have confidence because the Lord is my salvation. Jesus is my rock. Don’t give up, don’t give in, God’s Got a Plan.

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