It is far too very easy when thinking about God’s plan for our lives to have the attitude: “it’s all about me.” Yes, it’s true that God cares about every intricate detail in our lives. In fact, Jesus said that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. We can also mistakenly think that God’s plan is always going to be a “feel good” plan with the intent to make us happy.
Jeremiah’s message in this verse is radically different. He’s writing to a group of people who are being held captive, and are in exile from their homeland. He’s writing to let them know that although they’re not where they would have expected, nor where they would have asked God to place them, God has not forgotten them and He still has a plan for their lives. Even in the midst of a difficult situation, God wants them to know His plans.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11
In the preceding verses we see that a big part of God’s plan is for them to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:7). In other words, God wants them to know that His plans are not just to benefit them personally. God is also telling them that He is not removing them from the situation immediately. He does promise to eventually restore them, but it’s not coming quickly (70 years out when many of them will be dead). God is letting them know they can move forward, because in the eternal picture, God’s justice will prevail and everything will even out.
Today, in the midst of difficult situations, God wants us to know He has a plan for us all and for you. He also wants us to know that as we submit to His plan that He desires to use us to bless the world around us.
May you this week rediscover part of the plan that God has for you, you may not know the whole plan, but parts of it will be familiar. Be encouraged that all of your plans that have come to pass, and all the plans that haven’t are still part of His plan for you.
Grace and peace.
A Plan for You
The forgotten dreams
Lay shelved among
The chapters of my life
On the old dusty bookcase
The great plans that I had
Have been used to wrap
My ideas so they keep safe
In the boxes of my mind
Cannot be anchored
For their freedom
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