I Know The Plans...

Jeremiah 29:11 is a rather popular verse in the Bible. "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."

This is an awesome verse...but today I read it in its context. God makes this promise to the people of Israel just before they were going to be taken captive by the Babylonians. For the people of Israel, I would imagine losing all their possessions including their homes, and having to be under control of the Babylonians did not really fit this description that God gives about them.

God's plans and purposes might not be packaged exactly how we think, but He always has our best in mind. The path that leads us to "prosperity" just might very well be through the valley of difficulty. No matter what, God's purpose and plan is greater than are circumstance. God is beyond our current situation. He is not going to destroy or harm us, but there may be pain, hurt and difficulty involved. Whatever the case He has a purpose, and ultimately that purpose means something greater for us than are current circumstances allow us to see. Through it all....He does promise to hear us and listen when we call, and when we search for Him in our most difficult times He can be found (Jeremiah 29:12-13). Hold out through your circumstance and take heart...because the promise of God is that the future is bright!!