The Right Way to Plan

In 1 Chronicles 28 and 29, we find King David at the end of his leadership journey. His reign is closing, and he begins to think deeply about what he will leave behind. Throughout his life, David had carried a burden to build a house for the Lord, a temple where the Ark of the Covenant could finally rest. For years, the Ark had been on the move, and David longed to provide a permanent dwelling place for God's presence among His people.

But the Lord had different plans.

God told David, “You shall not build a house for My Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood” (1 Chronicles 28:3). Instead, God would raise up Solomon, David’s son, a king of peace, who would be the one to construct the temple. David didn’t resist. He shifted his focus from what he wanted to do, to how he could set up the next generation for success. He began a new journey, not of building, but of legacy.

Legacy, in this context, isn’t about how people remember us because of past victories. It’s about how we invest forward, how we make things better for those who come after us. That brings us to today’s focus: the pathway of planning.

Planning: A Reflection of What We Believe
Planning is one of those everyday instincts that can quietly reveal what we really believe about control, security, faith, and God’s sovereignty.

Whether we realize it or not, we all plan. Some of us are meticulous planners. For example, I carry around a Full Focus Planner everywhere I go. Well, not everywhere, but almost. It’s how I prioritize tasks, keep up with soccer games, take notes, and prepare for what tomorrow might bring. It’s my way of bringing order to the chaos that fills our days.

We all do this at different levels. There’s daily planning: alarms, meals, workouts, and meetings. Then there’s weekly planning: practices, games, events. Monthly planning covers bills, budgets, and goals. Quarterly planning focuses on strategy, direction, and performance. Annually, we plan vacations, school years, and finances. Then there’s “someday” planning—retirement, legacy, rest.

Planning is not sinful. In fact, it reflects something sacred, our desire to bring order into disorder, to mirror the creative nature of God. But there’s a line we cross when planning turns into control. What starts as an effort to organize can become an attempt to dictate outcomes, and that reveals more than just our habits. It reveals our heart.

Planning Exposes Our Faith
Think about the different kinds of plans we make.

There are short-term plans: “I’ll be there at 9.” “I’ll call you tonight.” These often feel reliable and under control.

Then there are mid-term plans. Where to go to college, career goals, ministry direction. These require some cooperation from life.

Finally, there are long-term or “someday” plans. “One day, I’ll slow down.” “One day, I’ll take Sabbath seriously.” “One day, I’ll be generous.” These are deeply faith-revealing. Many of them are delays disguised as wisdom.

This is where the tension lies.

Scripture is not silent on planning. Across over 100 passages, from Proverbs to the prophets to the historical narratives, we see consistent teaching. Planning is wise, but presumption is not.

Proverbs puts it this way: “In a man’s heart he plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” That’s the bottom line. You’re not wrong to plan, but you are wrong to presume. Because plans don’t always go the way we expect.

Whose Plan Is It?
As we walk through 1 Chronicles 28, we see David passing on more than just advice. He’s handing over a plan. But it’s not his plan.

The question isn’t simply “Do I have a plan?” It’s “Whose plan is it?”

In this chapter, we see a sacred movement. From God’s heart, to David’s heart, to Solomon’s hands, to blessed generations.

David receives the plan for the temple from God. He embraces it and prepares every detail. Then he entrusts it to Solomon, who is called to build it. As a result, the generations to come would be blessed by a dwelling place for the Lord.

This is the picture of godly planning. It begins with God, moves through obedient hearts, and results in fruit that blesses others.

God’s Plans Lead to Peace
There’s a reason why submitting our plans to God matters. Because His ways are peaceful.
All of God’s ways toward us lead to shalom—peace, wholeness, and goodness. When we follow His ways and submit our plans to Him, we align ourselves with the kind of order that doesn’t just manage chaos. It redeems it.

That doesn’t mean everything will be easy. But it does mean our steps will be established by the One who sees the end from the beginning.

David didn’t get to do what he originally dreamed of. But in trusting God’s plan, he played a critical role in something bigger than himself. And that is a far greater legacy.

Planning with Open Hands
Planning is not about controlling the outcome. It’s about preparing faithfully and holding the future with open hands.

As you think through your own plans—whether for tomorrow or ten years from now—ask the deeper question: Whose plan is this?

Start by seeking God’s heart. Allow Him to shape your desires, your direction, your timing. When His plan moves to your heart, and from your heart to your hands, you’ll begin to walk in something that outlives you.

That’s godly planning. And that’s how we walk in peace.



This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson at our CityRise Bellaire campus on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Check out the full message below!