"For I know the thoughts that I have for you, says the LORD,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
A young man about to graduate from high school was talking to his mother about the future. He had important decisions to make concerning college and a vocation. He said, "I wish that I could know my future. It would be great to know God's plans for me." His mother surprised him, saying, "I know your future and God's plans for you. They are summed up in one word - good, because God is good. You are trusting Him." All who trust God can be assured that He is working for good in our lives. His plans for us are good. The psalmist David knew God's plans for Him. He wrote, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:6).
Jeremiah was writing to the people of Jerusalem. Because they had rebelled against God's will for their lives, they faced judgment. Many had been taken away into captivity. God wanted them to know that He had a good future for them. Jeremiah 29:11 was God's prophetic word to encourage them. They could trust the goodness of God, even through difficult days, because He had good plans for them. God always gives us choices. When we rebel against His will of command, He may give us over to our own ways for a time, but He graciously extends hope for a future based on His good plans for us.
Knowing your future is really knowing God in a faith relationship. Trusting God is hope based upon the goodness of God. We usually want to know all the details, but it is enough to know that God has good plans for us. The question is this, can we trust Him with all the details? All of those who trust Him can rest in hope, knowing that His plans for us are good and never evil. Our future is God.
Prayer: LORD, we trust in You with all of our tomorrows, as well as our eternal destination. We believe that Your plans for us are good and not evil. We trust in You through Christ Jesus. Amen.
