Dear Friends,
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.
There are times in your life when you have to go back to the foundations of your faith. It is usually in times of anguish or pain, times when God didn’t answer your prayers as you thought He would, or periods when you don’t sense the Lord’s presence. No matter the circumstances, it is always good to reaffirm God’s promises.
As I am reading through the Scriptures, I am presently in the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah prophesied of Judah’s coming destruction and even the promise of future restoration. He was not popular and encountered much opposition, persecution and rejection. Jeremiah had his own feelings, doubts and questions. In his book he had conversations with God about what was about to happen. Jeremiah had to remember God’s covenant promises.
I firmly believe with all my heart that God works to display His own glory as He conforms us to the image of Christ and all for our good. He has our best interest(s) in mind. But when I cannot see that plan clearly or it doesn’t meet my approval; I tend to question that plan. Jeremiah did the same thing.
Jeremiah 29:11 is a great comfort. And listen to Jeremiah 3:19 speaking of the Lord, “I myself said, How gladly would I treat you like sons, and give you a desirable land, and the most beautiful inheritance of any nation. I thought you would call me Father, and not turn away from following me.” But Israel turned away, Judah turned away, and so often do we. We don’t believe God. We don’t trust Him.
Does God lie? He does not. Is He trustworthy? He is. Is He mighty enough to carry out his plan? Absolutely! Does He need my input or approval? No, but we have access to God to ask questions and to come boldly before His throne. He is our Father. Bring our questions, our burdens and our praises to Him. Trust Him. Rest in Him. Rejoice in Him. He does know what He is doing.
In Him,
Phil Reddick