Bible Studies

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Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you.” Says the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”

Thesaurus Fun:

Prosper – flourish, thrive, grow
Hope – expectation, anticipation, look forward to

To Prosper You and Not to Harm You

Sometimes we lose sight of God’s great plans for us when we are in the midst of suffering or perhaps simply the seemingly endless monotony of our everyday lives. We must determine to remember that every step of the way has been planned out and will turn out for our good in the end (Romans 8:28). God is constantly at work in our lives according to His plan to give us hope and a future. He is at work to make us prosper and grow in someway or another for He has not forgotten you or His promises. He is at work in and around you right now, no matter how it might ever seem to you. He is the God who does not slumber or sleep (Psalm 121:4) and every hair on your head is numbered (Mat. 10:30 & Luke 12:7). God knows everything that is going to happen and even though we have free will, God is still in control of everything - every situation every moment of our lives. He has already taken everything into account when He made His plans for you. You cannot mess them up. God has never had to “wing it” nor has He ever had to come up with a plan “B” or “C” because of some mistake you made or some sin you committed. Even if you wanted to, you cannot throw a wrench into God’s plans and neither can anyone else. Scripture says, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.” (Isaiah 14:24). This is what it means for God to be sovereign (supreme, matchless, final, absolute, irrefutable in authority).

This should be of great comfort to everyone who belongs to God. You don’t ever have to be afraid that you’ve messed things up too much or ever could. God is in control. If this fact does not comfort you, then you should take a long and hard look at who’s plans are really your priority. God’s plans for your life are better than anything you could ever dream of on your own. As scripture says, “Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor heart imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9). He might never make you famous or rich or powerful, but as you follow Him you will be able to make an eternal impact on those around you as you allow God to be at work in and though you. God says to you: “My plans for you were made before you were born. These plans are always on My mind as I set to work in your life and in the world. You don’t ever have to be afraid – for My plans are always for your good – plans to pour out on you mercy and grace, love and kindness, peace and joy, so that you can have hope for the future in this life and in eternity.” At times, the things that we go through can be painful and we wonder why it is that we suffer, but God has promised to be with us (Mat. 28:20), and that He won’t allow us to endure suffering without allowing something new to be born (Isaiah 66:9) – in us, through us, and to us. Everything will turn out for good as we learn to trust God through it.

Point to Ponder

Whose plan do you really want for your life? Yours or God’s? If we really knew how amazing God’s plans are we would never choose our own. God is, “able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or even imagine according to His power which is at work in us. (Ephesians 3:20-21)”

Let us pray, “Oh, great and mighty, all powerful God, remind us always that You are in absolute control of all things. Though we don’t always understand the things that You allow into our lives, help us to trust You no matter what. Help us to remember Your promise to work everything out for our good and Your glory. For we know that You are faithful and true and that You love us far beyond what we will ever understand. Oh, God, may Your perfect plan be at work in our lives and may we learn to submit to Your plan and Your will every day. Lord, thank You that You are in control, that our sufferings are not in vain, and that we never need to fear the future. Jesus, give us Your peace (John 14:27) and renew our strength as we wait in Your presence (Isaiah 40:31). To You alone, oh God, be the glory, dominion, and power! To Him who sits on the throne and who reigns on high be all worship and praise and honor forever and ever! Amen.”

See the songs “Every Hair is Numbered”, “The Story You have Made”, “Tears into Healing Rain”

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