Tag: Plans

Plan A, Plan B

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

If you are a parent, you know what it is like to make plans for your children only to see them thwarted by choices they make. They have a free-will. You can raise them right, pray for them and direct them down the right path but ultimately it is up to them to walk on the straight and narrow.

That is how it is for God as well.  He is our heavenly father and has plans for us. We have a free will and can easily walk our own path outside of God’s purpose for us if we are not seeking God’s advice and direction in all that we do.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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.”  It doesn’t necessarily mean your plans for tomorrow but rather plans for your purpose while you are here on this earth.  We know His plans are good because God is good. That is his character. He does not want bad things to happen to us. But just as you cannot stop bad things from happening to your children, God does not stop bad things from happening to us when we make bad choices.

Even when you make a bad choice, remember, Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Turn back to the Lord after a mistake and ask him for forgiveness and direction. His promise to us is found in Psalm 33:11, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

So, seek the Lord and ask for his guidance in all that you do so that the Lord’s purpose for your life can prevail.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your loving and forgiving heart. Forgive me when I make mistakes and direct me in your purpose for my life. Amen.

My Plans For You

Jeremiah 29:11 – “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.”

Most people have heard this Bible verse before but probably do not know the context of the passage.  This was part of a letter that Jeremiah, a prophet, wrote to the surviving people from Jerusalem that had been exiled to Babylon.  The letter was a message from God to His people (people just like you and me).  In a nutshell, God wanted His people to know that even though they were living through a difficult season, they should not stop living.  He encouraged them to build houses, plant gardens, get married and have children.  Carry on.  Keep living.  Even though their life was not perfect, He said to keep living it.  God even said they should pray for Babylon because if it prospers, they will prosper too.  God wants them to prosper because he is going to bring them back to Jerusalem one day.  Then He says it.  “For I know the plans I have for you.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Did you hear that?  God has plans for you.  Through every season of your life, He has a plan.  When you feel abandoned, lost, helpless, or tired, like the people of Israel did, He has a plan.  When you face struggles, fears, sorrows or disgrace, He has a plan.  You may not be able to see the plan but it is there.  And the plan is good because God is good.

So how do you get through the hard times?  How do you survive the difficult season? The key is to lean into God during those times.  Jeremiah 29:13 (two verses later) says that “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart.”  So when you find yourself in that season and things are weighing you down, keep on going, lean into God, seek Him through His word and keep on living.  Build a house, plant a garden, get married and have children.  And when you come out on the other side, the plan will be clear.

Lord, thank you for being with me through the good times and the bad.  Thank you for loving me enough to have a plan.  I have faith in you and I know that no matter what, you will bring me through this season of my life.  I love you.  Amen.