Day 166 - Sometimes our plans fail that God's plans will Succeed!

Today's Reading: 1 Chron. 22-23 and Galatians 2

In today's reading, we find David giving instruction to his son Solomon about building the temple. David even begins to make preparations for the building of the temple, but tells Solomon, "It's not God's purpose for me to build the temple... you must perform this task."

In the margin of my Bible, I find this beautiful thought from Inspiration in reference to this story:

Our plans are not always God’s plans. He may see that it is best for us and for His cause to refuse our very best intentions, as He did in the case of David. But of one thing we may be assured, He will bless and use in the advancement of His cause those who sincerely devote themselves and all they have to His glory. If He sees it best not to grant their desires He will counterbalance the refusal by giving them tokens of His love and entrusting to them another service.  

In His loving care and interest for us, often He who understands us better than we understand ourselves refuses to permit us selfishly to seek the gratification of our own ambition. He does not permit us to pass by the homely but sacred duties that lie next us. Often these duties afford the very training essential to prepare us for a higher work. Often our plans fail that God’s plans for us may succeed. 

We are never called upon to make a real sacrifice for God. Many things He asks us to yield to Him, but in doing this we are but giving up that which hinders us in the heavenward way. Even when called upon to surrender those things which in themselves are good, we may be sure that God is thus working out for us some higher good. 

In the future life the mysteries that here have annoyed and disappointed us will be made plain. We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings. (Ministry of Healing, p. 473, 474)

Yes, often our plans fail that God's plans may succeed. This is hard to take, but if we could only understand that God knows what He's doing, and His plans truly are best! In the future life it will all make sense.

Tomorrow's Reading: 1 Chron. 24-27 and Galatians 3