God’s Plans For You

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. Then you will 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. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV)

We spend a lot of time thinking about God’s plans for us.

While this is definitely a wonderful thing, it’s easy to have the attitude: “It’s all about me.”

God cares about every intricate detail in our lives. Jesus said that he even numbers the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). And after all, when compared to God, everything is small.

But should we expect that the main purpose of God’s plans is to make us happy right here, right now?

Jeremiah’s message in today’s devotional verses is radically different.

Jeremiah wrote to a group of people held captive. They were ripped from their homes and now live in exile. He was reminding them that although they’re not where they expected, God has not forgotten them.

Even amidst this insanely hard situation, God’s plan will stand. As Jeremiah knows very well, God’s plans are always good.

God hasn’t forgotten them.

Just a few verses earlier, we see a big part of God’s plan for them is to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:7).

In other words, God wants them to know his plans are not just to benefit them personally. God is also telling them that he is not removing them from the situation immediately.

He does promise to restore them; but it’s not coming quickly. Instead, it’s 70 years out, when many of them will be dead.

God is letting them know they can move forward, because in the eternal picture, God’s justice will prevail and everything will be made right.

God’s Plans For Us

Today, during tough situations, God wants us to know he has a plan and purpose.

He also wants us to know that as we submit to his plan, he will use us to bless the world. The key remains during both good and difficult times: You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

How does God want you to trust his plan amid life’s daily difficulties? How does God want to use you to be a blessing to others?

Today’s devotion by Jordan Loftis, author of two bestselling books, Today We Win and The Men With Bare Feet, host of The Bible Better Podcast, and editor of Short Daily Devotions.