THE BEST LAID PLANS . . .
- Key Verse
"Joseph said to him, 'No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.'" (Genesis 48:18-19)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
When God's blessing falls, it may not fall where you think it should. Just because it makes sense to you doesn't mean it falls into God's plan for you.
Reflections
Humans plan. We plan for college, we plan for retirement, we plan vacations. We live each moment hoping for the best and guessing at the future. We need to be careful that when we plan, we leave room for the plans that God might have for us.Joseph was a mighty man of God and a patriarch. He had to be good, right? He made it into the Bible! But we find him here making a mistake that all of us have made. He made assumptions about God's blessing.
Society, tradition, culture, and common sense told Joseph that the older son should receive the greater blessing, but God had other plans. Through Jacob (Israel), God chose to buck tradition and bestow the greater blessing to the lesser of the sons. Common sense often fails us when held up to God's greater will.
It's our responsibility as followers of Christ to be sensitive to God's will when making decisions about our future. For example, just because a job offer advances our career or brings more money to our family doesn't mean that we should take it. When I was struggling with job offers in college, one of my friends told me to, "Go where the money is, because God is everywhere." I realize in hindsight how wrong he was! I know now that no amount of money can make up for the lack of God's blessing! We need to take the time to let God direct us.
Before you make plans and decisions about your future, take the time to look for where God's will may be leading you. Spend time in prayer and give God time to speak to you. Talk to leaders in your church and spend time soaking up God's Word. There is no guarantee that the wisdom of society, tradition, culture, or even common sense will lead you down the path to God's will!
Discussion Questions
1. What big plans or decisions are on your plate right now?2. Have you looked at them with God's wisdom, or are you relying on the wisdom of the world?
3. Even if your choice is "logical," have you talked to God about it? Have you talked to other people you trust?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.
norma harais
February 25, 2012 08:40 AM
Thanks Paul -- You helped me this morning to remember that whatever wisdom i "think" i have could be clouding my vision of God's plans. Love your last sentence -- so true!
Val Dugone
February 25, 2012 10:41 AM
This passage and your devo were very timely in my life this morning. I love that God "bucks tradition" and desires us to lean into Him relationally for a much more interesting adventure!
Daniel
February 25, 2012 11:47 AM
Great Job Paul in the writing of this Devotional..God's will is always Best and we all need to be Patient..!!! Daniel