How To Ruin Gods Plans for You

Jeremiah said, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Contextually, God wrote this comforting note to His people concerning their captivity, but the truth of the passage still rings true thousands of years later. God is a God of plans, and He always seeks the spiritual and physical welfare and benefit of men. He wants the best for men and seeks for them to prosper. Saul’s case was no different. Saul’s future was bright. He was chosen to be king of Israel although he was from a lowly tribe (1 Samuel 9:21-10:1). He was handsome (1 Samuel 9:2), perhaps humble (1 Samuel 10:16, 21), and victorious at first (1 Samuel 11). Allen Webster noted that, “he was little in his own eyes in his early days, though he stood head and shoulders above the people.” Yet, despite beginning victories, Saul’s futural pride became his downfall. Later, Saul would transgress the commandment of God (1 Samuel 13:9-10) and it was Samuel who told him, “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee” (1 Samuel 13:13-14). God had a plan for Saul, but he ruined it with his actions. What can we learn from the account of Saul’s actions about how to ruin God’s plans for us?

Become Impatient (1 Samuel 13:8-10). Impatience is often the beginning quality that begins to ruin God’s wonderful plans for mankind. One said, “Impatience can cause wise people to do foolish things.” Instead of wait for Samuel, Saul decided to offer the burnt offering. This action was only the beginning step in ruining God’s plans for him. Like Saul, many are impatient. Applicably, many are impatient in regards to God’s plan for them. Many will: Rush God’s plans like Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 16). How many people want next week’s blessings now, but they forget that they are being blessed today with blessings they asked for last week? Make rash decisions because of impatience (Genesis 25:29-34). Some give up good things because they wanted something now. Doubt God’s plans like Israel (Exodus 32). Many question God’s futural plans for them because they cannot grasp tomorrow. Trusting in God and having patience with Him is the best plan (Psalm 37:3-7a), but impatience ruins divine plans.

Justify Personal Actions (1 Samuel 13:11-12). Saul said “Therefore said I,” (1 Samuel 13:12) instead of “Therefore said God.” Saul “forced” himself to do this action (1 Samuel 13:12). Saul justified his offering with subjective agendas (1 Samuel 13:11), not divine standards. Divine eyes never look upon such justifications with accepting eyes (cf. Genesis 3:12-13). Many today can ruin God’s plans for them because they seek to justify behavior that was ungodly and against the Law of God. While a man’s ways may be “clean in his own eyes,” “the Lord weighs the spirit’s” (Proverbs 16:2). Perhaps they: Add commands to God’s Law (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18). Subtract from God’s law (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:19). Multiply commands of God, making others bear burdens they ought not bear. Divide the commands of God by observing situational ethics, or upholding some commands and pushing away others (James 2:10). As King Saul’s justification led to dissatisfaction and disapproval from the King of all the earth, so do our attempts at justification ruin God’s plans for us.

Have a Heart Unlike God’s (1 Samuel 13:14). Saul did not have a heart like God’s, so he could not be blessed with God’s good plans for Him. Saul could have done what was right, but he followed his own heart instead. One who seeks God’s favor must first seek God’s heart. Since God’s heart is in His Law, those who want to be blessed must seek that Law. Truly, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called[1] according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Bountiful plans for the faithful’s future relies on faithful living. God has many plans for you today, do not hinder them like Saul!

Endnotes

[1]Christians are called by the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14).