"For I Know the Plans"

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

This verse is from Jeremiah’s letter to those exiled in Babylon. Even though God had exiled the Israelites to Babylon, He still had plans for them. As Jeremiah writes, we know the plans were not for evil. We also know God cannot be evil, as He is completely righteous and holy.

Even though the Israelites were banished and now lived under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, God still had hope for them and a future. He told them in the letter to live with hope, to marry, and have families. The Israelites were to find and take the welfare of Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon while they were there. God had a plan for them, and it was not evil. We know this because Jeremiah wrote it, but we also know that God cannot be evil; He is 100% righteous and holy.

God planned the end before the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). We are no different. God has a plan for us. This plan came in the form of our Savior Christ Jesus, whom God sent to redeem sinners by His blood. The wonderful thing is not only that we have hope in Christ, but that we have assurances of our salvation. Assurance is defined as a declaration that gives confidence, a promise. The writer of Hebrews penned these words, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (11:1)

This verse in Hebrews reveals what a miracle salvation truly is for the sinner. Looking at the Gospel of John, I hope you will see my point. In John 20:29, it is written, ^“Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” Jesus was speaking to Thomas, who doubted the resurrection. He must see and touch Jesus to believe. Jesus’ words are my point: every sinner today who comes to Christ is given faith through grace. A pile of dirty rags, unable to save itself from sin, is given the ability to have faith in Christ and believe. You believe because God enabled you to believe. That is a miracle.

Some people will never come to Christ because of God’s election. But those He chose will believe with every part of their being in someone they never knew, never saw, and never touched. They believe with every shred of their being. That, my friends, is a miracle. That is God’s grace in action. I think Paul reflects this best in Romans 8:24-25, where He writes, “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”  We have hope for what we cannot see, and take assurances in the form of hope, “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5.

No matter what challenges we, the faithful, may face, we have the assurances found in Christ Jesus. We have the foreknowledge that God has planned all things and knows the end before the beginning. Be it a risky surgery, an unknown illness, challenges with housing, food, or clothing, God has a plan. I cannot imagine how I got through life without Christ in my life, other than realizing all the things I have been through were designed to bring me to God, not keep me away from Him.

Do you have hope, or is your tank empty? Do you trust in Christ and have faith that goes beyond what we see and feel? Has the love of God been poured into your heart until, like God's unending love, it overflows from you to others? If your answers to these questions are no, seek Jesus Christ as your Savior today. Do not waste another nanosecond; seek Him now. You will come to know peace and hope beyond all imaginings.

Grace and Peace.