Sometimes you find in correspondence the letters D. V. after a statement of intention. This is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase "Deo Volente" which means "God willing." In our planning James advises, "you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that'" (James 4:15). In his first epistle Paul wrote to those in Corinth, "Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits" (1 Corinthians 16:5-7). When he did not come the second time those in Corinth slanderously charged Paul with selfishly changing his travel plans. After searching his conscience and stating the sincerity and simplicity of his approach to life and ministry (2 Corinthians 1:12-14), Paul follows a three-fold approach in dealing with the unfounded accusations of those in Corinth.

First, Paul mentions his intentionality (2 Corinthians 1:15-16). Paul had no hidden agenda in his planning. Initially he had every intention of coming the second time. Remember he included the phrase at the end of his intended itinerary, "if the Lord permits" (1 Corinthians 16:7). While they might be rightly disappointed that he did not come, they had no right to cast aspersions on Paul's character and reputation and undermine his ministry.

Second, Paul maintains his integrity (2 Corinthians 1:17-22). George Guthrie comments, "Paul suggests that his personal faithfulness stands grounded in the very faithfulness of God. His mission, his decisions, his pattern of life, and therefore his words are not perfect, but they so rest on the bedrock of the character of God and are so in sync with God's gospel that Paul can speak of the integrity of his words and commitments with the utmost confidence." Paul reminded the Corinthians that God established him and his associates, anointed them, sealed them, and gave them the Holy Spirit as a pledge of full salvation.

Third, Paul mitigates his inactivity (2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4). He does not merely tell them to trust him, he provides his reason for not coming to them the second time as he originally planned. He plainly declares, "Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth" (2 Corinthians 1:23). He allowed them time to properly deal with their problems. They needed to be given time to repent to experience the joy of God's salvation.

Someone said, "Sometimes our plans change unexpectedly, but there's a greater purpose at work!" Proverbs 19:21 reads, "There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel—that will stand." We must wisely submit our plans to God to remain faithful to His will and way in this evil day.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.