The Verse of the Day

-October 13, 2020-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

-God’s Plans For Us Now And Forever-

“‘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) NIV

We have a forward looking God, a God of promises to His people. He points us to a better tomorrow and an even better eternity in heaven. He is a God of second and many more chances.

Here in this wonderful verse we see God’s plans for His earthly people Israel. God took the unprecedented steps of sending His people into a seventy year exile in Babylon due to their rebellion, idolatry, and sin. It was painful but it had an end and Israel would restored with a new temple, new walls around Jerusalem, and a new start for those who chose to come back. There was a remnant of the Jews who went back to their homeland.

God’s people must claim His promises and cling to them for both now and the future. The songwriter wrote, “God said it, and I believe it, and that settles it for me.” We notice what the Lord told Israel and also how it applies to us as believers today.

• “I know the plans I have for you.” God has plans for His people collectively and individually. He sees the future that we cannot see and offers His blessings in abundance. We can rest in all the promises of God. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him are amen, to the glory of God through us.” All the promises are ours in Christ.

• “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” God is always watching over us to protect us, guide us, and help us. He always wants what is best for us. When He does chasten us, it is not harm us but to get us to the point of repentance, restoration, and renewal. The only way to profit by God’s plans is to do what He commands.” Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

• “Plans to give you hope and a future.” For Israel this meant going home. The same is true for us. Often we must go back in order to go forward: back to where we left God’s will, God’s presence, and God’s Word. This is what revival is all about. Only God can make our latter days even better than our former ones. Job found this to be true after all his trials and losses. Job 42:12 says, “Now God blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…” Job 42:16-17 tells us, “After this Job lived one hundred forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations.” So Job died, old and full of days.”

For us as believers today, we have hope and a future in Christ, in glory. Heaven will be better than anything we have on earth. To be with the Lord and all the saints forever is what we have to look forward to.

Have a blessed day rejoicing in God’s plans for you today and for all eternity. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean