Godly Goal-Setting
- Rebecca Galeskas
- Jan 6
- 5 min read
As we enter into a new year, many of us are casting vision and making plans. We all want to see success in our lives, and the new year feels like the prime opportunity to make a fresh start towards the kind of future we want.
Did you know, though, that while over half of Americans will set a new year’s resolution, the grand majority of those are abandoned before January is even over? These good intentions disintegrate to a swift end.
This is because we are unable to transform our lives or ourselves in our own strength. By definition, a resolution is self-focused and self-determined. But we are powerless in and of ourselves.
With that in mind, we can replace self-focused resolutions with good, godly goals. When we listen to the Holy Spirit and then follow Him every step of the way, we will begin to see true transformation in our lives.
Self-Determination vs. Holy Spirit Guidance
In the book of 1 Samuel, we see a prime example of how self-determination can lead us astray. Following Saul’s disobedience, Samuel is called by God to anoint a new king for Israel. We see clearly that if Samuel followed his own mind, he would have anointed the wrong man as king. With God’s direction, though, Samuel anoints David, and God’s Spirit comes to rest on the man He has rightfully appointed as king.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 says:
16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
There’s a few things we can gather from this excerpt of scripture as it relates to godly goal-setting. Of course, this is not a Bible story about new year’s resolutions, but there is much we can learn from 1 Samuel 16.
God tells Samuel to stop mourning and get about the work of anointing a new king. In the same way, God is calling us to set aside the past and any plans or expectations that didn’t work out because He has something new and better in store for us. We need only get up and follow Him.
Samuel, a man of God, would have chosen the wrong one of Jesse’s sons to be king had he chosen in his own strength. Like Samuel, we can be following closely with God but still choose the wrong path if we lean on our own understanding. We must be intentional in seeking God in everything as we go about our lives. He will be sure to lead the way if we are looking to Him.
Samuel anoints David in the presence of his brothers – all of whom God had rejected as king. The Spirit of God and blessing of God then came powerfully and rested upon David for the duration of his life. The blessing flowed because the anointing of David as king was in God’s will. When we walk in the way God is leading rather than in our own understanding, we will see His anointing and blessing.
Other Bible Verses on Goal Setting
Practical Tips for Setting Godly Goals
There’s a few key steps we can take as we aim to set godly goals in our lives. These will help us to stay in step with God as we not only set goals but also as we walk step by step to accomplish them.
Bring the desires of your heart before God – He is the one who places desires within our hearts, and Matthew 7:9-11 tells us that God desires to give good gifts to His children who ask for them.
Be still and listen – The Holy Spirit will be faithful to refine and guide our desires to fall inline with His will. He also gives us guidance for the way forward.
Write your vision down – This helps bring your goals into focus and allows you to return to them in prayer and gratitude.
Share your goals with someone – Whether it’s one trusted friend or several, find someone to share your goals with who you know will encourage you and pray for you along the way.
Pray – Pray as you set your goals, pray over your goals, and pray as you set about the work of accomplishing them. God guides us step by step, so we must keep our focus always on Him, knowing He will be faithful to lead us.
Ultimately, we can trust that there is no safer place, no more blessed place to be than in the will of God. He loves us and wants to lead us on sure paths that glorify Him. When we look to Him to guide us as we set our goals and walk them out, we can trust that He will be with us every step of the way.
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