God has a Plan

Believe in our Future!

Terry R. Baughman
“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” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

God’s thoughts are far beyond what we can comprehend. What makes sense to us is not always the direction God will lead. The things that seem logical in our thinking are not the steps that God places in front of us. The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9 NKJ).

Many desire to have scheduled events, well-laid plans, and systematic progression toward a pre-determined goal. As a youth we may have set down and began to plan our idyllic lives with full confidence that we would marry by 28, have our two kids (a boy and a girl) by 36, lead a successful career in a well-paying job for 20 years, and retire independently wealthy by 50. Then, we will travel to exotic places, enjoy our grandkids, and never have a pain or problem for the rest of our lives. It all looks good on paper but those who have lived a few years know this is not our reality. There will be unexpected surprises in life, relationship challenges, infertility, sickness or separation, career changes, and there will be pain and problems. 

Life in Christ allows us to learn to trust in God through the process of life. While we may question God’s leading and the path or the journey that He directs, our trust in Him allows us to develop confidence in His wisdom and faith in His ways. While it may be impossible to understand, we can believe in His Word. Paul revealed that, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NKJ). As difficult as that may seem sometimes, we know that God does all things well. Only God can see beginning to end, and we can trust His plan. Know that indeed God does have a plan and He sees the entire journey beginning to end. 

The Prophet Jeremiah recorded God’s promise to prosper and not to harm. Often we view the prospering as the blessing of material things. However, that is not necessarily the case. God’s promise of prosperity has more to do with our spiritual condition, our mental wellbeing, and the fulfillment of His purpose. God is more concerned that our souls prosper rather than that we would have natural riches or material success. 

John wrote to a believer, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2 NKJ). He went on to say, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (vs.4). While God is concerned about our lives in every area, the critical concern is the condition of our souls and our relationship with Him. It is not wrong to pray for natural prosperity, but notice the correlation with our spiritual condition, “as your soul prospers.” The greatest success in life is to know that we are following God’s leading and we are “walking in truth.” 

We can trust God! As our Heavenly Father, we know that He is working all things for our good. Jesus taught us that He regards us as children and asked, “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:11-12 NKJ). The obvious answer is no. A father is sensitive to the needs of his children. Likewise, God gives good gifts to those who are trusting in Him. Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13 NKJ).
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God promises His Holy Spirit to all who ask Him. This is the beginning of His plan for each life. His desire is that we may walk in His word, and His truth throughout life. When seeking our direction for the future, this is a great place to begin. God has a plan!


Theme passage:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJ).