Sometimes… Plan B
Opening Prayer
Spirit of God, present with me, living in me, revealed through me; fill my life with overflowing thanks to You.
Read 1 THESSALONIANS 2:17—3:5
17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.
New International Version (NIV)
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Meditate
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Prov. 19:21).
Think Further
Today’s reading shows that sometimes, despite our prayerful plans, things don’t work out as we want. Paul is thus frustrated. Satan seems to be getting the better of his purposes. Not only was Paul forced from Thessalonica, but he cannot get back there. He is concerned that the Christians’ suffering may cause some to fall away from their fledgling faith. Eventually, unable to stand it any longer, he opts for plan B, sending Timothy to see how they are doing. Such situations are common in Scripture. People have plans that don’t end up as intended or hoped for. Joseph’s brothers, for example, sold him into slavery, only for Joseph to end up ruling Egypt. Both Jesus and Paul prayed three times for relief from suffering, yet God had other ideas (Mark 14:32—42:2). Prayer is powerful, but it is not a means to coerce God so that our plans work out as we want. God is sovereign. He hears and acts in our situation, but in his grace decides how it will turn out. Prayer is not getting God to do our will, but is discerning God’s will so that we may do it.
I learned this through bitter experience. Long ago a close family member was an alcoholic. When we discovered, we tried to help her. She seemed on track. However, after a binge she ended up in intensive care. I spoke to her before she went into a coma. She confessed Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She lay in a coma for six days and, despite our prayers, she died. I was devastated. Over time I have realized that these dramatic events were her salvation. We should never stop praying and asking God to act, but we must let him be God. He knows what is best.
Apply
What situations are not working out as you prayed or planned? Has God revealed a plan B? How are you handling trust in God’s purposes—“not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36)?
Closing prayer
Lord, I want to pray, “Not my will but Yours be done.” Help me in my unbelief.
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