He Works His Plan – The Presidential Prayer Team

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 29:11

Timelines can give you a 30,000-foot overview of world events so you have a better perspective of how situations or people affected the things around them. But, think of this… God’s timeline in which He sees every facet of life on Earth extends to infinity in either direction. He has a greater overview than you can imagine. And yet, He is not far away. His perspective is unfathomable, but His nearness is right beside you.

In the passage for today, false prophets created unrest among the people in captivity in Babylon by saying they would be released soon. However, Jeremiah’s message from God said to settle in, build homes, plant gardens, and have families. “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf” (Jeremiah 29:7). God was working out His plan.

He has one for you, as well. Maybe you are one who is in the midst of illness or job loss, relationship problems, or inner struggles. God says, “Call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (vv.12-13). Even if things are going well for you, seek Him so that you may be guided by Him.

Remember that God’s plans for you are always for your good. His timeline is not yours, but knowing that He is a God that never changes should give you hope and great assurance. Seek Him with all your heart, and pray that those who lead this nation would turn their hearts to God and seek His best.

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: Jeremiah 29:1. 7-13

These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

⁷But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. ⁸For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, ⁹for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.

¹⁰“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. ¹¹For 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. ¹²Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. ¹³You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.