How to do the Most Important Things in Life – How to Get Your plans established.

By John Talbot

(Under the direction of the Lord Jesus (Prov 3:6; Col 3:17)

After the Suez Canal was blocked in 1958, the Cape Sea Route assumed extreme importance. This led to the Simonstown Agreement between Britain and South Africa. Under the agreement, the Royal Navy was to be allowed continued use of the Simonstown Naval Base. In return, Britain agreed to supply South Africa with weapons for the defense of the Cape sea route. South Africa, under the Simonstown Agreement, acquired three superb types of aircraft, all dedicated to the delivery of nuclear weapons. However no nuclear weapons were supplied. It was the intention of the British suppliers that the South African Air Force (SAAF) should use conventional chemical weapons to eliminate the Russian warships in the event of hostilities. This was a little unfair considering that their counterparts in the FAA (Fleet Air Arm) of the Royal Navy were equipped with nuclear weapons. No one in the major countries believed that South Africa could produce her own. However one man in South Africa had this vision. This article describes in outline what happened.

South Africa exploded its first nuclear weapon in 1979 and by 1985 had a substantial nuclear arsenal and was also producing nuclear fuel rods. How did a small country, with an economy equal in size to that of the state of Texas, and totally isolated as far as nuclear technology was concerned, achieve such results? (The South African government had refused to sign the non-proliferation agreement and, as a result, was excluded from the international nuclear knowledge base.)

When I was appointed to a senior research post at the Uranium Enrichment Corporation in 1975 and saw what was involved, my reaction was: forget it, the difficulties are too great, it is too big a project for South Africa. Yet South Africa succeeded. I still stand in amazement at this incredible achievement. How was it done?

I first met Dr. A.J.A. Roux while I was working at the National Physical Laboratory, Pretoria. He was an unpopular choice as its new director. It was rumored that it was a political appointment. He did a good job and was instrumental in founding the Atomic Energy Board of South Africa, and became its first vice president, and shortly afterward, its president. He was appointed chairman of the boards of directors of three corporations, namely, the Uranium Enrichment Corporation (Ucor), the Nuclear Fuels Corporation (Nufcor) and the Nuclear Development Corporation. It was his determination to succeed and his influence with the government that helped.

I once read a short article by Dr. Roux in “Ucorant,” the staff journal of Ucor, the Uranium Enrichment Corporation. He said that his mother died when he was a child. The day she died she called each of her children in turn to her bedside and gave each one a verse from The Bible. The verse she gave him was Proverbs 16:3 - “Commit your works unto the LORD and your plans will be established.” From that day on, the first thing he did every morning after waking, was to commit his works to the LORD. He never doubted that his plans would be established. It was his faith in God that did it.

Since reading that account, I have followed suit. Every morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is to commit my works to the LORD. I know that my plans will be established. They do not include making South Africa a great nuclear power again. (When F.W. de Klerk became president of South Africa he signed the non-proliferation agreement and dismantled South Africa’s nuclear arsenal and the facilities that had created it. Fortunately for Dr Roux he had already passed on.)

Foremost among my plans is to to be a coworker of the most beautiful girl in the world. We will join hands in propagating the gospel and ministering to the poor. She has wonderful plans about doing this. Finally, I plan to make a big success of my book writing and publishing, and of my inventions.

Now you know the secret of how to establish your plans, even if they include making atom bombs.

When you wake up in the morning, say your routine and special prayers. Then say, "Father, this day, as every day, I come before Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus and through Him, and I commit my works to Thee that my plans may be established."

Go for it! Your plans will be established.