Devotions: God's Good Plans

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’

Jeremiah 29:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

In the midst of chaos and adversity, it is easy to wonder if God is really in control, or if He knows what He is doing, or if He even cares. Jeremiah had many such wonderings. He foretold and personally witnessed the horrific overthrow and destruction of Jerusalem, and their subsequent exile. They were God’s chosen people and yet He allowed evil men to do terrible things to them. But God reassured Jeremiah, and the Jews, that He did know what He was doing, it was all part of His plan. Stopping there one might question His love or intentions. If God’s plan is for horrible things to happen to me, what proof is there of His love? But God doesn’t stop there. He goes on to describe His plans for His people, plans for welfare not calamity, plans for a future and hope. Welfare here literally means completeness, soundness or peace. God intended to restore His people to their home, to make them whole and complete again, to have peace. He planned for them to have a good future full of hope, but also to have that hope. He didn’t plan to make them hope for something they would never get. He planned to give them what they hoped for, a Savior. Then they would have the fulfillment of their hopes, they would have hope in their hands and hearts. Sometimes God’s plan for us involves going through horrible events and tragedies, but that does not negate His love or goodness. Those situations have a purpose, to make us complete and whole. They cause us to turn to God, to cling to Him and go deeper into His presence than we ever would if life was easy. The only way we can be completely whole or have peace is to be made complete in Christ, but we have to seek Him deeply. That depth only comes through trials. So while difficulties are part of God’s plans for us, they have a purpose, to make us better, to draw us closer to Him. Seek that purpose, seek a deeper relationship with Him, and experience His wholeness, peace and hope!