
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
Have you ever wondered what God is doing? Or why is He allowing things to go this way? Be assured – God is active, He has never stopped working, and He is at work now. Proverbs 15:3 states, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Oxford’s New English Bible version of today’s verse begins, “‘I alone know my purpose for you,‘ says the Lord.“ He has a plan and He is working it out. He works in the lives of people; He does things at times you can’t even imagine. He does good for His people and, at the same time, He throws a wrench in the works of those who set themselves against His purpose.
The apostle Paul’s life went far differently than he had expected. God had a far better plan than he did, to spread the Gospel of Jesus. Did Paul have an easy time of it? No. Did he continued to trust the Lord? Yes. God may not be preparing you for the life of an apostle but, as long as you remain on this earth, His purpose for you is active, and He is preparing you for something that accomplishes His will.
Shift your eyes from the circumstances of the world — wars, the economy, the government, even your health — and keep them fixed on Jesus, His grace, and His tender compassion toward you. Peter affirms that He watches over you, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). God has good days ahead of you and, as you learn to trust and rely on Him more, your faith will grow stronger. Ask today that those serving in public office who follow Jesus would have the assurance that the Lord is still at work and that they would be willingly be part of His purpose for the United States.
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.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
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.


Read the Daily Prayer Briefing to view the president’s schedule and to pray for the day’s current events.