"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV).
Naturally speaking, perhaps we expect to find Jeremiah saying, "See, I told you so." That isn't the picture at all. Jeremiah didn't care about being "right." He cared about God's people. He offered a word from God; not a word of reprimand, but a word of hope—when the exiles' situation seemed darkest.
God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, I tell you, God has a word for you today. "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you a future and a hope." Though the original hearers of this message faced a bleak situation—they’d lost homes, land, and independence—God looked to their future. He saw beyond their circumstances. Perhaps you are in the midst of a fiery trial right now and you don't know what to do. God has a word for you. He has plans for you, and they are good plans.
God looks beyond your circumstances, no matter what trial you are facing. God has plans for you. Don't believe the heresy, spread from too many pulpits in our land, that Christians never suffer. God is using that trial, the heartache, the headache to shape you. Pain will give way to a future hope in your life. Amen
Naturally speaking, perhaps we expect to find Jeremiah saying, "See, I told you so." That isn't the picture at all. Jeremiah didn't care about being "right." He cared about God's people. He offered a word from God; not a word of reprimand, but a word of hope—when the exiles' situation seemed darkest.
God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, I tell you, God has a word for you today. "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you a future and a hope." Though the original hearers of this message faced a bleak situation—they’d lost homes, land, and independence—God looked to their future. He saw beyond their circumstances. Perhaps you are in the midst of a fiery trial right now and you don't know what to do. God has a word for you. He has plans for you, and they are good plans.
God looks beyond your circumstances, no matter what trial you are facing. God has plans for you. Don't believe the heresy, spread from too many pulpits in our land, that Christians never suffer. God is using that trial, the heartache, the headache to shape you. Pain will give way to a future hope in your life. Amen
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