“For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” — Isaiah 14:27 (NASB95)

It is obvious that Isaiah intended this verse to be a message to Israel, Judah and all the nations surrounding them. He was telling them all, “You might have plans to do this, or do that, but ultimately it is the Lord’s plans that are going to be lived out and they cannot be turned back.” But this verse hit me in a completely different way today. I was looking at the words “frustrate” and “who can frustrate it?” I began to think about how often I am frustrated with the plans I have and the difficulty I have getting them fulfilled. I dream, I plan, I talk about the plans with family and friends, I work to implement the plan, and often the whole process leads to frustration. I think I get it! It sometimes takes me awhile!  🙂

God’s plans cannot be frustrated because He is God and His plans WILL be fulfilled. I am not God! (Surprise!) So my plans will be frustrated if they are not in alignment with God’s plans. At the end of the day God wins. This is why the Scriptures say, “Unless the Lord builds the house, you labor in vain.” I (we) need to make sure that as we dream and plan, we are including the Lord in the process. We need to seek to have a discerning mind and heart to know whether our plan is aligned with His will. The good news in all of this is that if we work to align our plans with His, we will not be frustrated because His plans cannot be turned back.

Stop for a few moments today and pass your dreams and plans before the Lord in prayer. Seek His confirmation and blessing for the plans you are about to implement.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church