The Plans of Man

The Plans of Man 

by David Brenneman 

"The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching.  Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret.  Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.”  When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”  Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”  So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest." John 18:19-24

"Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.  Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”  They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.”  So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,”  to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.  Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”  Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?”  Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?”  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”  Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”  Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.  But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?”  So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber." John 18:28-40.

"Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand." Proverbs 19:21.

"The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9.

Oh the folly of mankind!  The joke upon themselves from the days of old.  That they would believe that they're fully in control of their path in their lives.  

Prior to the Great Flood in Genesis, there was probably nearly as many people as there are today.  As all were doing whatever was right in their own eyes.  That's exactly what the Bible says concerning them.  For 100 years Noah built the Ark and preached to his world of the Judgment to come.  Even knowing that it would only be him, his Wife, his sons and their wives he preached.  

Jesus said that His second coming would be just like it was in the days of Noah.  People marrying and being given in marriage until they entered the Ark and the door was closed.  

In my life many many people have had plans concerning doing me or my family and friends some form of harm.  

Jesus, the True and Faithful One, said that all Christians are in His hands that no one can snatch us out of His hands. No one can get to us without His conditional approval.  Read the book of Job. 

Satan's schemes are relentless.  The Bible says he is the accuser of the Brethren.  Night and day he accuses Christians.  

There are those today in my life having plans in their hearts to deal us harm rather than good.  

They believe in their self-righteousness that they will mett out their forms of justice.  

Obviously they've never read about King Hezekiah and his troubles with Sennacharib King of Assyria.  How King Hezekiah prayed and the response from the Lord Jesus was resoundingly powerful.  He would put a hook in his nose and turn him around. 

"so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6.

This to say that God gave me a mind to prepare but discernment to know what to do.  Literally put the authorities have been notified.  Here we have been in prayer as well as others praying for us.  We know that God will defend us.  We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  King Hezekiah saw this in action centuries before it was written. 

I do not have to fight although thoroughly trained by my Dad to do so.  When last we were around some of the same people Jesus said to me to not be worried or concerned, the battle is His, He will take care of them.  Am reminded of other battles of Israel.  They were instructed to prepare as normal but they were not going to engage their enemy.  There were to witness their salvation from the Lord. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  

My trust is in the Lord my Savior Jesus Christ.  

You, my Dear Reader, can have the same confidence and assurance.  You must, however, be living a life well pleasing to Jesus.  A life of obedience.  

Be in prayer. Be in the Word of God daily.  Be removing those things from your life and heart that are not honoring to God...and He will make your paths straight.  

Jesus?  The battle belongs to You...have at it.

All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.