"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)

Even in their exile, God was sovereign, and His plan for Israel would be fulfilled. Jeremiah wrote these words to the remaining elders in Babylon. God's words through Jeremiah were a source of hope in a time when hope was easily lost.

Jeremiah told Israel to continue with their life and have faith in God. They were told to live their lives, get married, have children, build houses… to live. God’s plan for Israel was already written before the world, just like His plan is already written for you, and it will inevitably unfold.

In our lives, we will all have our own Nebuchadnezzars, our exiles, and our failures. One may get that diagnosis from the doctor that challenges our faith; we may lose our closest loved one, a job, a home, or our livelihood. When that happens, these words from Jeremiah 29 should give us hope in our time when our hope is easily lost.

There is nothing in our lives that God will not touch. While God does not plan evil, He will use it for our good. I know, that does not make much sense. Yet, we do not need to understand God’s plan for us; we need only have faith that God's plan is for our good. God uses our challenges and tribulations to transform us into the image of Christ, giving us hope in the process.

While Nebuchadnezzar was the King of Babylon who held Israel captive, God used Him to mold Israel. No one, believer or not, is outside the sovereignty of God. If God wants to use you for His purpose, He will use you. This is one reason I love Proverbs 21: “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” This is particularly relevant to the society in which we live. We may disagree with a world leader, but that leader will ultimately succumb to the will of God, just as Nebuchadnezzar did.

So, my brothers and sisters, have faith in the Lord’s plan for you. Get married, raise children, own houses… live. For the Lord God has a plan for you, and while you may receive that diagnosis, loss, or other challenge, God will use it for your good. Live in the light of the Lord, and you will have no darkness. Live fully in faith, empowered by the knowledge of God's plan for you.

Not a believer? You are reading this for a reason. God has a plan for you, and He is awakening the desire to know Him. Accept Christ as your Savior, repent of your sins, change your mind about your life, and turn from evil. Have faith in Christ, and you will see that God knows you and has a plan for your life that will use any challenge, trial, or tribulation. He will deliver you, just like He delivered Israel.

Grace and Peace!