August 2, 2016
One of my favorite verses that I read today is 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.
Today’s Reading: Judges 16; Acts 20; Jeremiah 29; Mark 15
I’ve read, written, and quoted this verse many times to myself and to others. At first to me it was a reminder that God has a plan for all of us. In His plans, and according to His timing, we will be taken care of in both good and bad moments. These encouraging words can provide you with boundless hope you need to conquer any agenda, task, or adverse circumstances that at first may seem impossible. You can rest on the fact that God is with you the whole time. In our stress, pain, and hard times God has a glorious conclusion for us.
Jeremiah 29:12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
These next two verses is a reminder about us calling upon Him. That the plans we want may not always be the plans He has set for us. So in our minds when we’re asking, “Why did this happen?” submit to the plan God has given to you and find ways to bless others. This is a tough one for me to swallow since I spent most of my life to this point doing everything for me. Self confession, its not about me its about God.
In researching various interpretations to Jeremiah 29:11 I’m sent back to Jeremiah 29:1 where you will see these verses were part of a letter Jeremiah wrote to surviving elders, prophets, priests, people who had been exiled. This exile based on their disobedience lasted for 70 years. Imagine the wait now. In our instant gratification world its hard to wait 70 seconds let alone 70 years. It also is a heart check to see where our obedience is. In today’s reading God has a plan for Samson and the Philistines, Paul and Eutychus, Nebuchadnezzer and all the exiles in Babylon, Joseph of Arimathea, and us. Jeremiah 29:11 can be a reminder.
These Israelites were sent to exile because of their idolatry. Exodus 20:5 tells us that he is a jealous God and how we should only focus on Him. – God is Just
Despite the fact of their sins and ours God gives us hope that he will take you out of your current situation when we call on Him and according to His time. – God is full of Grace
Through history you can see all the promises our Lord has fulfilled. We can trust that God will follow through on the promises made to us. The promise that we can receive the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life. – God keeps His Promises
So today…
- Ask yourself, Do I continually seek Him?
- How do I respond when God’s plans are not always the plans I desired?
- Am I still being a blessing to others when His plans are not according to my timing?
Dear God,
You alone are our God. Please help us to focus on this throughout our days. You go before us and have divine plans set for us. Equip us to continually bless others in the midst of this day you have set before us. Help us to grow closer and closer to you as we seek you continually. Allow our responses to be full of Grace just like you have given to us. Thank you God for this day, let us follow the plan you have set for us. Amen