Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck’s famous quote…which is actually taken from a poem by Robert Burns, (The correct answer to some trivial question), “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” is what we find in the biblical account of the civil war between kings Jeroboam (Israel) and Abijah (Judah). In 2 Chronicles 13 we see these two kings mounting up for battle against each other. Jeroboam with 800,000 valiant warriors while Abijah only 400,000. If you were in Vegas the odds makers would take Jeroboam hands down since it was a two men to one ratio. Jeroboam had a better battle plan: set an ambush from behind, surround Abijah and his men…done deal, let’s start portioning out the booty!

Believe it or not I am somewhat of a planner. I iron my clothes, make my lunch, get my breakfast ready, put the toiletries out on the bathroom counter, etc. the night before because I don’t have much time in the morning. Ok, so the real reason is that I am not a morning person, I don’t think clearly, and if it is not part of my routine it either won’t get done or will be forgotten altogether. I have to have my keys, wallet glasses and backpack in the same place otherwise I will forget them.

The confident Jeroboam had his perfect plan all laid out, with all bases seemingly covered. Leadership tip: having a well-executed plan is a great confidence builder for the next battle life throws your way. On the negative side, a great plan doesn’t always mean that it will result in a great outcome. Hence the end of our famous Steinbeck quote: “often go awry”. We often forget or at best hope for some kind of “God factor” to insure our planned outcome. The truth is, “My ways are not your ways says the Lord.” (See Isaiah 55:8-9). Our plans rarely turn out like we would like them to. Here is the gist of 2 Chronicles 13. Abijah’s plan was to trust the Lord His God. He and the people of Judah went back to the basic practices set in place by the word of the Lord: 2 Chronicles 13:8-12 (NASB)  "So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the LORD through the sons of David, being a great multitude and having with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made for gods for you. "Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods. "But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the LORD as priests, and the Levites attend to their work.  "Every morning and evening they burn to the LORD burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening; for we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken Him.  "Now behold, God is with us at our head and His priests with the signal trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O sons of Israel do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you will not succeed."

This battle really wasn’t Israel vs. Judah; it was God’s people having to make a decision on who they were going to follow: the sins of Jeroboam and his master plan, or the One who is the Master Himself. Are you going to trust God with your life or trust a person, a plan, ideal or bank account? Abijah and Judah did not have a guarantee that they would succeed in this battle. It was the Lord who would decide the outcome. They were simply going to live in obedience in the ways of the Lord and let Him direct their paths. (See Proverbs 3:5-6). As the battle ensued, Israel appeared to have the upper hand as their great plan began to take shape, seeing that they were surrounded Abijah and Judah cried out to the Lord and the priests blew the trumpets…Then the men of Judah raised a war cry, and when the men of Judah raised the war cry, then it was that God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 2 Chronicles 13:15 (NASB)

So are we not make plans because God will do what He chooses to do in our lives anyway? Sit idly until we hear what our next steps are to be? Of course not! The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NASB). There is a “both/and” to our planning and God directing. He can be directing us to make specific plans that compliment what is on our heart and His. God desires for us to partner with Him in what He is doing. So how do we know what He is doing? Spend more time in silence and solitude with Him. (Last week’s spiritual exercise) Allow His word to permeate within your soul and live what He is saying to you. Make sure your plans are led and guided by His Holy Spirit, even to the point of surrendering those plans to Him. “Here is what I got Lord, do with it and me as you choose”.