Trusting God's Purpose Amidst Our Plans

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Purpose Prevails Over Our Many Plans

No matter how many plans we make or how carefully we lay out the steps of our lives, there is a deeper, unshakable purpose that belongs to God alone. Our plans are often shifting, limited, and sometimes unravel in ways we never expected, but God’s purpose stands firm and is not thrown off by our detours or disappointments. When we learn to hold our plans loosely and trust God’s purpose, we find freedom from frustration and bitterness, and we open ourselves to the “only God” stories He wants to write in our lives. Surrendering control is not about giving up on planning, but about recognizing that God’s blueprint is always better and more enduring than our own. [06:27]

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Reflection: Where in your life are you clinging tightly to your own plans, and what would it look like to open your hands and trust God’s purpose instead?

Day 2: God’s Ways and Thoughts Are Higher Than Ours

God’s plans are not just a little better than ours—they are completely different, higher, and beyond what we can imagine. While we may see only a small street, God sees a superhighway; while we imagine small solutions, God offers mercy, wisdom, and redemption that are deeper and richer than we could ever dream. This truth releases us from the pressure to understand every detail and invites us to trust God’s heart, even when His ways are mysterious or hard to trace. His mercy and wisdom are unsearchable, and He is always working for our good and His glory, even when we cannot see the full picture. [12:44]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Reflection: When have you struggled to understand God’s ways, and how can you choose to trust His higher wisdom and mercy in that area today?

Day 3: God Redeems Broken Plans for Good

Throughout Scripture, God takes what was meant for harm and repurposes it for good, as seen in the story of Joseph and ultimately in the cross of Christ. Even when evil seems to win or our plans collapse, God is not finished—He is able to rewrite and redeem every story, turning defeat into salvation and pain into purpose. This doesn’t mean we will always understand why suffering is allowed, but we can trust that God is at work, repurposing even the hardest moments for our good and His glory, and promising a future where evil will be fully eradicated. [22:30]

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Reflection: Think of a time when your plans fell apart or you faced hardship—how might God be inviting you to trust Him to redeem and repurpose that situation for good?

Day 4: Obedience Over Comfort—The Call of Ananias

God often calls us to step out of our comfort zones and obey, even when it feels risky or uncomfortable, just as He called Ananias to go to Saul. Sometimes God’s call comes as a blinding light, other times as a gentle whisper, but both require a response of faith. When we obey quickly, even when it costs us, we become part of God’s redemptive work in the world—sometimes in ways we may never fully see. The church is called not to chase comfort, but to chase obedience, trusting that God’s purpose will prevail through our willingness to say “yes” to Him. [18:36]

Acts 9:10-18 (ESV)
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized.

Reflection: Who is the “Saul” in your life—someone you find it hard to believe God could use or redeem—and what step of obedience might God be asking you to take toward them?

Day 5: Daily Surrender and “Only God” Prayers

Living in the tension between our plans and God’s purpose means practicing daily surrender—laying down our blueprints and inviting God to write His story through us. This surrender is not passive; it’s an active rhythm of praying first, paying attention to God’s nudges, and obeying quickly, just like Ananias. As we do, we stay aware of the “Sauls” around us and become open to holy disruptions—moments when God wants to do what only He can do in our lives, our church, and our community. When we pray “only God” prayers, we invite Him to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine, trusting that His purpose will always prevail. [32:36]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: What is one area of your life you need to surrender to God today, and how can you physically or practically lay it before Him in prayer?

Sermon Summary

We all live in the tension between our own plans and God’s greater purpose. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that while we may have many plans in our hearts, it is the Lord’s purpose that ultimately prevails. This is not just a comforting thought for when things go wrong; it’s a foundational truth for how we live by faith. Our plans are often detailed, color-coded, and carefully constructed, but God’s purpose is singular, steadfast, and unshakable. He is not caught off guard by our detours or disappointments. In fact, some of the most powerful “only God” stories are written in the very places where our plans unravel and we are forced to trust Him beyond our own understanding.

Scripture is full of examples where God’s purpose overrides human plans. Joseph’s story in Genesis is a powerful reminder that what others intend for harm, God can use for good. Isaiah 55 tells us that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours—not just a little better, but completely different and infinitely greater. The story of Saul’s transformation in Acts 9 shows us that God can take even the most unlikely person and repurpose their life for His glory. Saul, who breathed out threats and violence, became Paul, the greatest missionary and writer of much of the New Testament, all because God’s purpose prevailed over Saul’s destructive plans.

This truth challenges us personally, as a church, and in our communities. Personally, we are called to hold our plans loosely and surrender control, trusting that God’s blueprint is far more beautiful than anything we could sketch. We are also challenged to see the “Sauls” in our lives—the people we think are too far gone—and believe that God’s grace can reach them, perhaps even through us. As a church, we must be willing to embrace holy disruptions, stepping out of comfort and into obedience, even when it means going to unlikely people or places. In our communities, God delights in using unlikely partnerships and people to accomplish His purpose.

Ultimately, the cross is the greatest example of God rewriting the story. What looked like defeat became the foundation of our salvation. Until the day when God eradicates all evil, we live in the tension, trusting that He is still writing His story through us. Our call is to daily surrender, pray first, pay attention, and obey quickly, believing that God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Purpose Prevails Over Our Many Plans No matter how many plans we make or how tightly we hold to our blueprints, God’s purpose stands firm and unshakable. Our plans are often limited, shifting, and sometimes self-centered, but God’s purpose is singular, steady, and always aimed at redemption. The challenge is to hold our plans with open hands, allowing God to redirect and repurpose as He sees fit, trusting that His wisdom and love are far greater than our own. [06:27]
2. The Cross Is the Ultimate Rewrite of Human Plans The greatest evil ever planned—crucifying the Son of God—became the very means of our salvation. God specializes in taking what looks like defeat and turning it into victory, what looks like loss and turning it into life. The cross and the empty tomb are proof that God can redeem any story, no matter how broken or hopeless it seems. [22:30]
3. God Uses Unlikely People and Holy Disruptions Saul’s transformation into Paul is a testament to God’s ability to use even those who seem most opposed to Him. God often calls us, like Ananias, to step out of our comfort zones and reach out to the “Sauls” in our lives. We must be willing to obey God’s nudges, even when it means loving those we find hardest to love, believing that no one is beyond the reach of His grace. [18:36]
4. Surrender and Obedience Are the Pathways to God’s Best Daily surrender is not a one-time event but a continual posture of open hands and open hearts. We are called to pray first, pay attention to God’s leading, and obey quickly, even when it disrupts our plans or challenges our comfort. This rhythm of surrender and obedience positions us to experience the “only God” stories He wants to write in and through us. [32:36]
5. God’s Story Is Still Being Written—Trust Him in the Tension We live in the “already but not yet,” where evil still exists and our plans still fall apart, but God’s story is not finished. Our call is not always to understand, but to trust the One who holds the whole world in His hands. When our plans collapse or suffering comes, we can rest in the assurance that God is still at work, repurposing even the hardest things for our good and His glory. [25:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Proverbs 19:21 and the Tension of Plans
[02:36] - Our Love of Control vs. God’s Redemption
[05:46] - Stones of Faithfulness and God’s Immeasurably More
[06:27] - The Plurality of Our Plans vs. God’s Singular Purpose
[09:44] - Joseph’s Story: God’s Turnaround
[10:53] - God’s Higher Ways in Isaiah 55
[12:44] - Trusting God’s Unsearchable Wisdom
[15:04] - Saul’s Transformation: What We Breathe In, We Breathe Out
[18:36] - Ananias’ Obedience and the Power of Going
[22:30] - The Cross: God’s Greatest Rewrite
[25:09] - Living in the Tension: Trusting God When Plans Collapse
[26:09] - Who Is the Saul in Your Life?
[28:10] - Chasing Obedience Over Comfort as a Church
[29:42] - Only God Prayers for Our Communities
[31:40] - God the Master Builder: Unlikely Partnerships
[32:36] - Steps for Daily Surrender and Obedience
[34:16] - Laying Our Blueprints Before God
[36:13] - The Cross and Resurrection: God’s Final Word

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) — > Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

- Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
> As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

- Acts 9:1-19 (ESV)
(Saul’s conversion story; read as a group or assign sections)

Observation Questions

In Proverbs 19:21, what is the difference between “plans” and “purpose” as described in the verse? How does the sermon explain this difference? [06:27]
According to Genesis 50:20, what did Joseph say about the intentions of his brothers versus God’s intentions? [09:44]
In Acts 9, what was Saul doing before he encountered Jesus, and what changed after his encounter? [15:04]
What role did Ananias play in Saul’s story, and how did he respond to God’s call? [18:36]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says our plans are “many, shifting, and sometimes self-centered,” but God’s purpose is “singular, steady, and always aimed at redemption.” What does this mean for how we should approach our own plans? [06:27]
Joseph’s story shows that God can use even evil intentions for good. How might this shape the way we view disappointments or setbacks in our own lives? [09:44]
Saul was an unlikely person for God to use. What does his transformation teach us about who God can reach and use for His purposes? [18:36]
The sermon talks about “holy disruptions” and being willing to step out of comfort and into obedience. What might a “holy disruption” look like in your life or in the life of the church? [28:10]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “hold our plans loosely and surrender control.” Is there an area of your life where you are holding on tightly to your own plans? What would it look like to surrender that to God this week? [25:09]
Who is a “Saul” in your life—someone you think is too far gone or unlikely to change? How can you begin to pray for them or reach out to them, even if it feels uncomfortable? [26:09]
Ananias obeyed God’s nudge to go to Saul, even though it was risky. Have you ever felt God nudging you to do something outside your comfort zone? What happened, or what might happen if you said yes? [18:36]
The cross is described as “the ultimate rewrite of human plans.” When have you seen God turn a situation that looked like defeat into something good in your life or someone else’s? [22:30]
The sermon encourages a rhythm of “pray first, pay attention, and obey quickly.” Which of these steps is hardest for you, and why? What is one practical way you can practice this rhythm this week? [32:36]
As a church, we are called to embrace “holy disruptions” and unlikely partnerships. Is there a person or group in your community that you find it hard to imagine God working through? How might God be inviting you or your group to step toward them? [29:42]
When your plans fall apart or suffering comes, how do you usually respond? What would it look like to trust that “God’s story is not finished” in those moments? [25:09]

Sermon Clips

I'm not going to let you in on a secret you probably don't already know this morning but right here in this ancient book is the tension that every single person lives in and what's that tension it's that tension between my plans your plans everyone's plans and god's purpose. [00:01:01] (21 seconds) #TensionOfPlansAndPurpose

That's the tension that Proverbs chapter 19 presents to us and it's also the tension right there where God writes some of his best only God stories.In those places where God does some of his best work and that's why Proverbs 19 21 it's not just a cute verse that you put on a coffee mug. It's not a cute verse you just hang up on a wall. No this is life or death stuff for faith.When we understand how our plans and God's purposes can coexist but one is greater than the other right there that decides whether or not we will live life frustrated and bitter when it doesn't follow our script or we live free and expectant for God to do what only he can do. [00:02:14] (42 seconds) #OnlyGodsStories

If this God can really do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, then you and I need to be prepared to wrestle with the fact that God's immeasurably more doesn't line up with what? Our plans.God's immeasurably more doesn't line up with my designs.God's immeasurably more doesn't line up with the little bit that I can do. But again, that's where some of the best, only God's stories can be written. [00:06:11] (23 seconds) #ImmeasurableGod

Proverbs puts a guardrail around our plans. It says that we're to hold on to our plans with open hands as we cling to God and cling to His purposes. And we can't cling to God and His purposes and God's plan for our lives if we're doing what? If we're holding on tightly to ours. So we hold loosely to our plans and we hold tightly to God's purpose. [00:08:49] (20 seconds) #HoldLooselyTrustTightly

Sometimes we hear that, that God's ways are higher.And we just think, well, that means God's ways are just a little nicer than mine.Or God's ways are just a little better than mine. That my plan would be okay. God just wants to turn it up just a little bit. No, what God is saying through Isaiah is that my plans are completely different than your plan. If your plan is a little street in the middle of your town, mine is a super highway in a completely other city. [00:11:37] (24 seconds) #GodsWaysAreHigher

What we breathe in, what we take in, we breathe out. And what a turnaround we see. In Acts chapter 9 verse 3, we see that Saul is on a road to a city called Damascus, and he's going to Damascus to arrest the Christians there. And we're told that at midday, this light shines down upon Saul. And it's not just any light. It's a light that's brighter than the midday sun. It flashes like lightning, and it overwhelms him, and it drops him to his knees, and it blinds him. [00:17:15] (29 seconds) #LightTransforms

If you're a member of the church, and I'm not talking about you signed a role somewhere. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, if you are a member of the church that Jesus is building, Jesus so closely identifies with you that when somebody persecutes you, they persecute him.But it goes both ways.When we persecute one another within the church, when we have division, when we have disunity, when we have all these things within the church, we're hurting Jesus because Jesus loves the church so much that he did what? He gave his life for her. He shed his blood for the church. [00:18:18] (31 seconds) #UnityReflectsChrist

What were Saul's plans? Persecution, arrest, murder. What was God's purpose? Saving this guy and all the missionary journeys and all the miraculous things that took place. The huge chunk of the New Testament that we read today, that was God's purpose. And Ananias was kind of that middle. What won out? Saul's plans or God's purpose? God's purpose, right? God's purpose prevailed. [00:21:37] (28 seconds) #GodsPurposePrevails

As a church, we have to lean into those holy disruptions. We talked about these holy disruptions, these times that God just steps into our ordinary life with extraordinary things. And these holy disruptions as a church, sometimes they seek to move us closer to God in mission. And as a church, we don't chase comfort.We need to chase obedience.When it calls us to step out of our comfort zones, when it calls us to do things that may not fit our little boxes that we hold them in, we don't chase comfort. We chase obedience. [00:28:31] (34 seconds) #ChaseObedienceNotComfort

The greatest rewrite of human plans ever was the cross.It was the empty tomb.Sin had planned to keep us all enslaved. God planned to save.Death planned to end the story, but God planned resurrection, life after death. Jesus took our place, paid our debt, and rose in victory. And if he can turn a grave into a garden, he can turn any of the shaky plans of our life into something great.And he does it every day, and he wants to continue doing it today, and the next day, and the next until Jesus returns. [00:36:08] (35 seconds) #CrossRewriteVictory

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