God’s Plan is Good! (Oct 17)

Verses for the day

Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Thoughts

I thought it was interesting reading the context of that verse this morning. Basically God was telling Jeremiah, “Because my people have rebelled against me, I am sending them into captivity to Babylon for the next 70 years. But don’t lose hope. I will come and do for you all the good things I promised. I will bring you home again.” My plans for you haven’t changed. They can’t be thwarted! “For I know the plans I have for you…”

As we continue to wrestle with what’s happening at our home church and the ramifications of all this, I felt the Lord really speaking this morning from these verses. He has a plan… and He promises it’s a good plan! His plan is to give our church a future, and hope! For us personally, He has promised the same. He has a good plan… a plan that I can rest in with confident hope.

As I meditate on these verses this morning, I feel the Lord saying, “Rest in me! Believe in me! I will do what I have promised. Nothing can thwart my plans! “ (Jer 29:10)

Jeremiah follows these verses with a couple follow-up thoughts. He said, “Even while you are in captivity, when you pray, I will listen (Jer 29:11). If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jer 29:12). I will be found by you!” God’s work will be to do what He has promised, and to carry out his GOOD plan. Our job is to trust His plan, and to seek him wholeheartedly. Because it’s only in Him we will be able to rest.

Prayer

Dearest Father, thank you that your plans for me are for a future, a good future, a future that is full of hope. Thank you that your plan for our church is build up, not tear down, to plant, not to uproot (Jer 24:6-7) You said in Psalm 133:1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! May you help all of us to come together in harmony, trusting you for the plans you have for us, both personally, and for our church.