I know the plans I have for you. – Jeremiah 29:11
God is sovereign. The world experiences conflict and confusion as wars and natural disasters unfold. The Lord is all-powerful and could intervene to stop the division, misery, and loss. However, He has given humanity agency on this earth. God allows circumstances and events for reasons that humankind may not comprehend. He longs for people to seek Him, to be redeemed by Him, and to love Him.
The Israelites were set apart by God to be His own. But they drifted away from Him. They took His blessings for granted, turned their backs on Him, and followed after idols. Yet God never left them without a message from Him, without a prophet or a leader who would express His heart. The Lord was forever calling them back to Himself.
Look around. Could it be that is what is happening today? That God has His best intentions toward the people of the earth? Is the Holy Spirit working in churches to refine them, to bring them nearer to God’s own desires for them? The Lord is a planner. He knew how your future was written before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5). The rest of today’s verse says He has “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Believe and act on the verses that follow today’s: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart“ (vv. 12-13). As you pray today, let the Holy Spirit direct you as you trust in His unfailing grace. Pray for churches across the United States to find God’s true purpose for them. Intercede for members of the House and Senate to look to the Lord and to His Word for the answers they need.
Today’s Verse: Jeremiah 29:11
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Revelation 3:14-22
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
