As humanity searches for security and grasps for glory, God still works his plan: judging sin, extending mercy, and being marveled at by those who believe.
God's Plan Progresses (chapter 10)
Point: We can trust him. God is holy, good, and powerful… even when unnoticed.
Aside: James 3.9 and Acts 17.25b – 31: racism is sinful and stupid.
Man's Plan Fails (11.1-9)
Point: We can trust in him. God always prevails. We have nothing to fear.
Aside: Knowledge and power apart from God's revelation in his Word and in Christ is nothing but sinful folly no matter how grand and good it looks. His glory is our good.
Lessons Learned?
Are my plans truly being blessed by God? Do I ever confuse God's patience, forbearance, and mercy with blessing, empowerment, and approval?
Are my plans in accordance with God's Word? Or am I serving myself? Or a "god" of my own making, on my own terms, and by my own efforts?
Are my plans about his glory and other's good? Or are they a grab for fleeting glory and fame?
Are my plans truly wise? Educated efficiency armed with adequate time, planning, technology and skill do not automatically qualify as a wise plan. Christianity is not instinctive; it is both revelation and relationship.
Wisdom in Scripture means choosing the best and noblest end at which to aim, along with the most appropriate and effective means to it. – J. I. Packer
When my plans fail how do I act/react? Anger? Anxiety? Frenzied activity? Fatalistic apathy? Self-pity? Or trusting that God is at work and that he is as good as he is powerful.
