Thought for the Month

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is God's purpose that prevails."

This quote from Proverbs 19.21 appeared on T‑shirts to accompany Justin Beiber's Purpose tour following the release of that artist's 4th studio album in November 2015.

But what does this scripture mean? Individuals have their hopes and dreams and therefore make plans to make them a reality. It's implied that those aims may be good but they could also be selfish or even unjust. However it is God's purpose that remains and continues and his purpose reflects his attributes of wisdom, justice, love and power.

Young people have their own goals and aims which may start by passing exams and getting a job while also desiring to be married and having children even when they are also followers of Christ. Perhaps this was in the above artist's mind in choosing this text. Paul seems to understand such everyday hopes when talking about husbands and wives in Ephesians 5.

The apostle Paul was a man of purpose. Firstly following the plans of other men he took letters from the high priest to Damascus so he was legally able to capture Christians and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished. But following his Damascus Road experience he put that same strength of purpose into doing what the Lord would have him do. Napoleon was another man of purpose. He put his energies and skills into waging wars from Western Europe to Egypt and setting up his own dynasty in France. However they did not prevail for long and he died alone and separated from his family on the Atlantic island of St. Helena.

Even in Old Testament times men and women has respect to the purposes of God. Rahab certainly did. She saw they will definitely come to pass.

Many of the plans and purposes of God are centred on His son Jesus and were made before the world begun (2 Tim.1 9). Paul refers to "the eternal purpose which he (God) purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord". (Eph.3.11)

At the present time people have been making their own plans and decisions with the information they have at this present time. In the U.K. there is the so‑called 'Brexit' referendum on whether to remain in the EU. People have the opportunity to vote and therefore make plans for this country in this 'once in a generation' decision. But this is dwarfed by God's plans and purposes. Whether some of his plans and purposes will be worked by this vote or whether they have no significance He knows.

Seeing as it is God's purpose that prevails its the words of James our Lord Jesus brother that ring true to come near to God and to humble ourselves in the sight of God. (James 4.8,10) Such persons may have the opportunity of being of service in God's purposes in the future.

Even if there is fear, distress or perplexity in the world when looking to what is happening in that world (Luke 21.25‑26) there is the comfort that God's purposes will prevail and he is a God of love who is still caring for and preparing 'jewels' today and will continue to do so till his glorious purpose is accomplished.