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. – Jeremiah 29:11
What is God doing? Or why is He allowing things to go this way? Have you asked these questions or others similar in recent months? Be assured – God is active, He’s never stopped working, and He’s working now. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” He has a plan and He is working it out. He works in the lives of people; He does things at times you can’t even imagine. He does good for His people and, at the same time, He throws a wrench in the works of those who set themselves against His purpose.
Look at the life of the Apostle Paul. God had a far different plan than he did… and that plan included the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus. Did Paul have an easy go of it? No. Did he ever lose hope? No. God may not be preparing you for a life like an apostle’s but, as long as you remain on this Earth, His plans for you are still active, and He is preparing you for something more.
Take your eyes off the circumstances of the world — the virus, the economy, the government — and keep them fixed on Jesus, His grace, and His tender compassion toward you. His eyes are on you. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (2 Peter 3:12). He has not removed hope from you, but He may have changed it a little… strengthening it as He strengthens your faith. Ask today that those who are in government who follow Jesus would have the assurance that God is still at work and that they would be available to be part of His plans for America.
Today’s Verse: 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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
