God’s Time & Plan vs. Yours

By Shane Kastler

Have you ever hoped that God would do something, and then found He didn’t do it fast enough for you?  Or He didn’t do it the same way you thought He should have?  Or He didn’t do what you wanted at all?  Many times we have our own plans and ideas about how things should be.  Sometimes our plans are in accordance with God’s will.  But often times, they are not.  When our plan and God’s plan differ, one of those “plans” need to change.  Can you guess who’s plan that is?
        Moses had a plan to deliver his people from Egyptian bondage.  Although he was raised in Pharaoh's household, Moses was actually a Hebrew.  The Bible says when he was around the age of forty he saw one of his kinsmen being mistreated by an Egyptian.  Moses killed the Egyptian and buried the body.  the next day when two Hebrews were arguing, Moses tried to be the peacemaker, but he was stunned when one of the men said, "But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Exodus 2:14)
        The New Testament sheds more light on what Moses was thinking at the time.  It wasn't JUST that he was trying to be a peacemaker.  He was hoping to spark a Hebrew rebellion against the Egyptian tyranny and lead his people to freedom.  The New Testament, speaking of Moses, records this:  “And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand." (Acts 7:25)  Of course, the interesting aspect of this is that God would indeed grant them deliverance from Egyptian bondage under the leadership of Moses.  But it wouldn't happen for forty more years.
By the age of eighty, Moses had no doubt given up on any chance of delivering his people.  And who could blame him?  He had fled to a foreign land, married, had a family, and a livelihood.  He was probably content to live out his days and day as "no-name."  Though once young, brash, and full of energy; he was now a tired, old man.  With a speech impediment to boot.  But NOW, it was time, according to God's timetable, for Moses return for his people.
        Most people know the story of Moses and the burning bush.  How the Lord spoke to him and told him to return to Egypt.  Moses demurred at this thought and fought against it all he could.  But not surprisingly, God won the fight and Moses would lead the people.  It did not happen the way Moses thought it should, nor in the timing Moses thought it should.  But it happened perfectly in accordance with God's divine timetable.  "No on can stop His hand."(Daniel 4:35)  And no one can ruin His plan.
        Part of growing in faith is learning to seek and submit to God’s will in all matters.  He is in sovereign control over every aspect of this universe, including our lives.  Jesus told His disciples, “The very hairs of your head are numbered.” (Matthew 10:30) Which is another way of saying that no detail is too small for God to overlook.  He knows all.  He controls all.  Do you joyfully submit to this control?
        God’s plan was to send His son to be born in a manger, "when the fullness of time had come." (Galatians 4:4) It was God's plan that He be raised in a small village called Nazareth.  It was God’s plan for Jesus to live thirty-three years on the earth, then die on the cross as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all who trust in Him.  This was God’s plan.  But let’s be honest, it probably wouldn’t have been your plan.  We might wonder as to why God would ordain such a violent payment involving His son.  But just as we wonder about God’s redemptive ways, we should also rejoice in His love that ordained the payment for our sin before we had ever been born (much less sinned).  Christians should be eternally awestruck and grateful at God’s gracious love expressed toward them.
        The Apostle Paul marveled at the grace of Christ in his own life.  He wrote to the Galatians of Christ saying, “He loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Paul knew he didn’t deserve God’s love.  But he also knew that God mercifully gave him what he did not deserve.  He granted him forgiveness and a new life in Christ.  Paul once hated God.  But by grace, God changed his heart and his plan.  There's never been a day in which God has lost His sovereignty. Remember that when life throws you for a loop.