By Prince Josiah Jeyaraj
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
God has good plans for our lives, though they may hard, difficult and full of challenges. He has good plans that we may do good things that he planned for us long ago.
God always intends to do good things for lives.
How we can make those good things God planned for us long ago? Or How we can make the good plans of God to become a fulfillment in our lives.
In Nehemiah 2: 12, it is very clear Nehemiah received a clear plan from God for rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. We see in Nehemiah 7:15, the plan God intended for Nehemiah came to a fulfillment.
Steps Nehemiah followed for God to accomplish the plans that was planned for him long ago: -
Dependence and Trust in the LORD: -
Nehemiah depended and trusted the LORD all through the process of the plan of God to its fulfillment. He was very certain that only the LORD could help in execution of the plan.
In Nehemiah 1:4, 6, 11, 2:4 are just few references on Nehemiah trusting on the LORD all through the process, till its fulfillment.
Another classic example can be Moses receiving the plan of God at Burning bush (Exodus 3) and all through the process, till its fulfillment Moses depended and trusted God.
Claim the Promise (The Word): -
Secondly, Nehemiah claimed the promise or banked on the WORD for fulfillment of the plan. In Nehemiah 1:8, we can see Nehemiah banking on the promise of God.
“It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” 2 Timothy 3:17
It refers to the “WORD”. It is the Word of God that prepares us in everyway, for every good things God wants us to do.
You and I need to be refreshed by the WORD, every single day for God to prepare us for successful fulfillment of the plan of God.
Time will not make things better: -
Nehemiah had huge challenges for plan to come to a fulfillment. Plan came to a fulfillment (i.e. Jerusalem wall was completed) in Nehemiah 6:15. There was lot of oppositions, difficulties and challenges, but he did not wait for time make things better, instead he pressed on against all odds.
In I Samuel 17, David went against Goliath, the people of God was waiting for 40 days and night for time to make things better. David went against Goliath in the name of the LORD, since he knew time would not make situations better.
Moreover he knew, that God has promised or planned victory for them and they need face the challenges for the fulfillment of the plan of God.
Another example could be, God planned Canaan for his people, Numbers 13 & 14, we can see, 10 spies are going to spy the land and they find giants. They became terrified with the challenge. On seeing the challenge, they began to question God’s plan. Remember how big the challenge is, God’s plan for us is always good. After 40 years, in Deut 9, they once again visit the promise land and they still see the same old giants. Time does not change things.
Another classic example is, God has planned an eternal home for each one of us. For us to inherit the eternal home, we will have to go through the challenges. Keep pressing on.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1
Work Hard: -
On many occasions we spiritualize everything, forgetting what need to do about the plan. Nehemiah was not silent and just trusting on God, he worked hard for the fulfillment. Few references to indicate Nehemiah’s hard work, Nehemiah 2:20, 4:16, 17, 21, 6:3,4.
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Work hard, so God can approve you.
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