I Know the Planner

Isaiah 46:10-11

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Here in Mankato the congregations of our Evangelical Lutheran Synod have been working together the past few months to establish an association with the idea that we might be able to serve many more children in a larger Christian day school setting here. And those who have been involved in this very ambitious and complicated project have followed a slogan that someone expressed early on in their meetings. And that slogan is this “I don’t know the plan, but I know the planner.” And what a comfort that is for us, as we consider that God is the one who brings about the things that we can only hope will happen.

I’d like to just read a verse from the prophet Isaiah that speaks to this. God says,

I am the one who announces the final outcome already in the beginning.
I announce ahead of time things that have not yet been done.
I am the one who says, “My plan will stand,
and I will do everything I want to do.” (Isaiah 46:10)

And going on there in Isaiah chapter 46, he says,

Yes, I have spoken. I will certainly bring it to pass.
I have formed a plan, and I will certainly carry it out. (Isaiah 46:11)

Our gracious planner, our loving God, has done everything necessary for us, both for our lives here, as we naturally wonder and worry about our next doctor appointment, or our finances, or our national security, our society, and the upheaval we face, we wonder, how will this all end? We’re not sure. There are times it’s sort of thrilling not to know if we’re attending a sporting event and our favorite team is playing in an important game. That’s part of the fun that we don’t know the outcome, but we don’t like that uncertainty when it comes to, especially the eternal things pertaining to our soul. For we know that we’ve all sinned against God and not obeyed him and loved him as we should and as he deserves. And we wonder, what will things be like for me after I’ve died? Will I be in the joy of heaven with my dear Lord, or will I be separated from him?

I think it’s only natural, as honest Christians, that we are concerned about that question. How great that our planner assures us in no uncertain terms, about what he has in mind for us to fulfill his loving plan for each one of us. We know that God sent his only begotten son and assures us that all who believe in him have eternal life, for he gave his life for the sins of the whole world. Our dear Lord Jesus lived for each of us and died paying for our sins, the sins of the world, that we may have eternal life in heaven. And the Apostle Paul said, all things work together for good to those who love God. And he said, the gift of God, not something we earned, is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And he promises again through Paul in Romans eight, there’s no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. You and I don’t always know the plan. Thankfully, we know the planner, and we know of his love for us and the certainty that the things he promises will be fulfilled as we repent of our sins and as we trust in the solution, our Savior, Jesus Christ.