Planning For 2020

Have you ever had an idea that you just knew God wanted you to turn into action?  Perhaps you even shared your idea with your best friend or a trusted mentor, and they also thought that you should act on the idea.  You begin to set plans in motion only to discover that God did not want you to move forward with your plans. That is what happened to David in 2 Samuel 7.  
David was admiring the blessings of God and enjoying the comforts of his spacious house and it hit him that there was no permanent structure for the ark of God to dwell.  So he had an idea to build a house for the ark of God. He ran the idea by Nathan the prophet and Nathan immediately said, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”  How’s that for a green light! David can now make plans to build the house because the man of God has said, “the LORD is with you.”  
But later that night Nathan receives a message from God that interrupts David’s plans.  God tells Nathan that David will not build a house for the ark of God. I imagine that this was a shock to Nathan and a disappointment for David.  But that is the risk that we take when we speak for God without hearing from God.  
In our attempt to encourage and inspire others, we can be tempted to speak for God although we haven’t spoken to God about the matter.  We should not promise that God will do what God never promised He would do. Many people feel disappointed by God because someone that they trust told them that God was going to bless them or that He was with them in an effort, when God had not spoken.  It may not be God’s plan for a person to go back to school, get married or have children. Don’t speak for God when God has not spoken. What God has spoken is revealed in His Word. His word works in us, and by the power of the Spirit, we can discern what God is saying to us (1 Corinthians 2). 
Additionally, in our zeal and excitement about our ideas, plans, and dreams, we often seek the endorsement of others before we seek the approval of God.  We are reminded in Proverbs 19:21, “Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand” (AMP).  
As you make your plans for 2020, consult with the Lord first.  Remember that not every good idea is a God idea. Pray that God will reveal HIS plans to you.  When you walk the path of God, you can do all that is in your heart for the LORD is with you.