What are you planning for 2026?
Scripture
Proverbs 19:21 ESV Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Romans 12:9-13 ESV Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Through the Scripture
Scattered thoughts vs Single Minded Purpose
Today’s proverb contrasts our many, changing plans with God’s firm and established purpose. 2026 lies veiled before us. We don’t know what our choices or decisions are going to be, but we can be sure of one thing. God has a plan and purpose and we don’t need to know the exact details in order to follow it. We can make one decision today that will determine if 2026 is successful or if it is wasted. Do we choose our own plans or submit to God’s established purpose?
Proverbs 19:21 ESV Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, [10] declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
God’s purpose is through faith in Jesus Christ alone
How do we submit to God’s purpose? It’s impossible to follow His purpose unless we believe in Jesus Christ and what He’s done for us. Paul says that our obedience to obey comes from faith on Jesus Christ. We can’t genuinely obey Him unless we believe the Gospel, have been born of the Spirit and have been made into new creations that love and honour Him. Without this, our actions, however much they may look like obedience, are merely selfish attempts to get what we want. Hebrews 11 list many people who achieved much for God by simple obedience, and the author reminds us that their obedience came by faith.
John 6:27-29 ESV Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” [28] Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” [29] Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Romans 16:26-27 ESV but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— [27] to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Hebrews 11:32-34 ESV And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— [33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
By faith and obedience we follow God’s purpose for us
We will face many decisions in 2026, some will be tough and we won’t always know what to do. - but many decisions will be obvious because they will simply be a matter of doing the right thing according to Scripture. Obeying God in issues such as honesty and kindness are acts which align us with God’s purpose. It may be easy to understand what God wants us to do in these situations but it can be very difficult to do. We need His strength to obey His will, we can ask Him for this strength and He will give it to us, He promises to.
John 14:13-14 ESV Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Following in faith and obedience with genuine love (What should we do?)
When we accept that our plans are not necessarily God’s and submit to His will, and we put our faith in Who Christ is and what He’s done, we are able to obey God in genuine love in our everyday lives. This is far more important than knowing God’s great design. Moses was destitute and alone with nothing but the clothes on his back when he encountered injustice. His choice to get up and do something about it, put into motion the next chapter of God’s plan. He married one of the girls and served her father in caring for his sheep. He spent 40 years learning to preserve the lives of sheep in the same wilderness that he would one day lead Israel through. All because he chose to love in action not just words.
Romans 12:9-13 ESV Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
1 John 3:18 ESV Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Exodus 2:15-21 ESV When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. [16] Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. [17] The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. [18] When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” [19] They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” [20] He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” [21] And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah.
Follow God’s purpose with determination and commitment (How should we do it?)
Moses shows us the importance of acting in love by the power of the Holy Spirit due to faith in Jesus Christ - but it’s important how we act in love. We can so half heartedly or fervently. Again we need to ask for this power, energy and zeal, but we must not be content with lukewarm effort.
Romans 12:11 ESV Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Follow God’s purpose in all circumstances (When do we do this?)
Some days it’s easier to be pumped up and full of energy to love and serve God, but some day’s it’s hard. It’s critical that we are consistent and make the most of every opportunity, especially when we don’t feel like it. Romans 12:12 shows not only the importance of this but also how to attain this consistency. Rejoicing, patience and prayer come much easier when our hearts are grateful. And gratitude is a choice. Travelling long distance is frustrating when you’re only focussed on getting there. Value and appreciate the scenery.
Romans 12:12 ESV Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Philippians 4:6 ESV do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Follow God’s purpose starting in His Church (Where do we start?)
Finally since we know that following God’s purpose comes from loving in actions, with all our heart, gratefully through all circumstances relying on the power of the Holy Spirit Whom we have by faith in Jesus, we can consider where to start doing so. Paul suggests that we begin in the Church, there’s a whole world out there that needs us, but a whole Church full of need all around us. People we know, or can easily get to know who need our genuine and fervent acts of loving kindness. Jesus teaches us that the world recognises His influence when it sees the Church loving each other. Let’s make 2026 all about genuine, fervent acts of love for God’s glory, by faith in Christ and through the power of His Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:13 ESV Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
John 13:34-35 ESV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. [35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”