When God's Plans Change

I have a family member and also a dear friend who went through puzzling changes. After many years faithfully serving in ministry, God led them each to new ministries - both for a mere two years - before leading them back to the exact ministry where they had previously served. Why? This doesn't make sense.

If that seems crazy, consider Israel's history as presented in Psalm 105. God's plans for Israel changed over time to the point of apparent contradiction, and in each change, it was God who was obviously directing. Israel's history started with Abraham. God made a covenant with him, promising him the land of Canaan, and sending him to that land (vs. 9-12). It was God's plan for Abraham to move to Canaan and remain there. It was God's plan for Isaac and Jacob to live in Canaan.

Then God's plan changed. Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt. In a time of great famine, Joseph was able to provide for his family, and the whole clan moved to Egypt (vs. 16-24). That was God's plan. It was God's plan for Joseph to live in Egypt, and for the nation of Israel to live in Egypt for 400 years.

Then God's plan changed again. Moses was appointed by God to lead Israel out of Egypt and back to Canaan, albeit with a 40-year interlude in the wilderness (vs. 26-44). It was God's plan for Joshua and Caleb to live in Canaan. It was God's plan for Gideon and Samuel and David and Josiah to live in Canaan.

While Psalm 105 does not include the continued story of Israel's history, God's plan changed again. It later became God's plan for Israel to live in Babylon and Assyria. Later it was God's plan for a remnant to move back to Israel, where they were at the birth of the Messiah. Then it was His plan for them to be scattered abroad in the time of the early church, living throughout Asia and Europe. Not until the late 1940s was it God's plan for Israel to return to their land in large numbers. The day is coming when God will pull Israel back to their land with divine thoroughness.

What is God's plan for Israel? Where does He want them to live? Canaan? Egypt? The wilderness? Babylon? Europe? The answer to each of these questions is "Yes." Each location, in its time, was God's plan. Psalm 105 supports such a statement by repeatedly attributing the changes to God's intervention. The psalm celebrates God's "wonders" (v. 2 & 5) and "His marvels" (v. 5). I count at least thirty-two actions of God in this psalm, things that He did on Israel's behalf as He led them from place to place.

Why did God's plan change so often? It certainly was not because God did not love Israel, nor was it because God was powerless to prevent the changes. Verses 8-10 speak of God's everlasting covenant with Israel, one that He always remembers and is committed to fulfilling. It is indeed God's ultimate plan for Israel to dwell in the land of Israel. That is the place to which He has repeatedly pulled them and will ultimately pull them.

The temporary absences from that land were, however, part of God's plan as well. Those absences were necessary in accomplishing the ultimate plan of God. God had different purposes for Israel at different points in time: initiation of His covenant, growth into a mighty nation, training in obedience, chastisement for willful sin (with the purpose of restoration), and the spread of the gospel. The pressing need at the time determined God's guidance, as He created the environment in which to meet each successive need.

In Joseph's day God wanted Israel to live in Egypt so He could abundantly provide for them and increase them from seventy souls to a great multitude. God needed Israel to live in the wilderness so they would learn to trust and obey Him. God required Israel to live in Babylon so their hearts would return to Him. God deliberately scattered His disciples into the world so they would carry the message of the gospel. Each exception, whether it was 400 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, 70 years in Babylon, or 1900 years in Europe, carried its own purpose within the overall unchanging plan of God.

As we look back at Israel's history, we can see the different needs and the reasons for the changes. We don't always have that same insight in our own lives, but God does. He knows exactly what we need and for how long. Whether those temporary puzzling changes have to do with geographic location, ministry outlet, health, finances, family situation, or anything else, God knows exactly why each change is needed. He knows precisely what He is accomplishing in each situation.

Psalm 105 is also comforting because it reveals how far God went to effect each change for Israel. When He needed to move His people, He truly did great wonders! He moved heaven and earth for them - sending famines, bringing unfathomable plagues, parting seas, giving fire by night, providing manna, springing water from a rock, and driving out enemies (v. 16, vs. 27-36, vs. 39-41, v. 44). When God needs to make a change, He is well able to do it, and He can accomplish it so there is no doubt of His desire! Wonderfully, in the midst of all the change and upheaval, God carefully watches over His people (vs. 14-15).

The opening verses of the psalm appropriately call for thanks, praise, and glory to God. Indeed, God knows exactly what He is doing and why. He is completely able to accomplish His purposes, and He gently watches over us while He does it! We can confidently rest in the guidance and supervision of our good and great God, who works His will for us even when we don't understand.