For I Know the Plans I Have for You
“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
In his letter to the surviving elders among the Jewish exiles and priests, the prophet Jeremiah assured God’s people that they wouldn’t be captives forever. He encouraged them to settle, marry, and raise families in the foreign land, and he reminded them that God was designing a good plan for them with a hopeful future.
In the midst of today’s trouble and chaos, God is working to design a good future for us as well. He is doing in our generation what he did in ancient Egypt: redeeming a remnant of people. In the final book of the Bible, God reiterates his vision: “A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:9–10).
This dream drives the heart of God. His purpose from all eternity is to prepare a family to indwell the kingdom of God. “‘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, emphasis added). Oh, the beauty of the thrice-repeated word plans. God is plotting for our good. In all the setbacks and slipups, he is ordaining the best for our future. Every event of our days is designed to draw us toward our God and our destiny.
To the degree that we believe and accept his vision for our lives, we will get through life. When people junk us into the pit, we will stand up. God can use this for good. When family members sell us out, we will climb to our feet. God will recycle this pain. Falsely accused? imprisoned? Utterly abandoned? We may stumble but we do not fall? Why? God “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).
Everything means everything. No exceptions. Everything in your life is leading to a climactic moment in which Jesus will “reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20).
Apply the Truth of Jeremiah 29:11
Recall a time in your life when God rescued you and brought good out of your troubles. Ask God who you can encourage with your story and then do it.
By Max Lucado drawn from the NIV Lucado Encouraging Word Bible.
The Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, NIV Edition
The Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, NIV Edition offers encouragement in God’s Word with a masterful collection of Max Lucado’s encouraging words curated from his more than forty years of sermons, books, and articles interspersed in Scripture.
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This is a wonderful passage and food for thought. Thank you so much.
Thank you lord for speaking through this message.
Thank you for blessing me. These words came when I needed it.
I truly believe the words of the Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus for not giving up on me. 🙏❤️❤️
Of course God is in control of everything. Thank you my Lord for these encouraging words.
These are encouraging words for us when we are down. It reminds us that God is in control.
God cares in the midst of trouble. Thank you for this message.
God works in numerous ways that we cannot decipher. He comes through when we least expect. Only if we can WAIT.
Thank you so much and I’m blessed to hear this. God works in a marvelous and perfect way Amen 🙏
I am inspired. Amen🙏
We can trust God. He will help raise us up when we fall.
ربنا يبارك الكلمة التشجيعية (May God bless the encouraging word.)
Thank you for this reminder, and a restoring hope to my faith and my situation. God bless you and continue to inspire you.
In my present situation, this is exactly what I needed God to speak to me through this passage. Thank you Jesus.
Thanks for the wonderful message. I am blessed. 🙏
Words of God are like medicine to my body.
This is really uplifting. Food for the mind and soul.
I really needed to see this message today to give me hope and a future.
Thank You Lord our Father for touching Theresa’s heart.
This word of assurance from God is what I needed most in this waiting time.
Thanks for this powerful encouraging Word of God.
God is surely working things out in his day and time. Never give up, hold your head up high and keep your trust in the Lord. He is on his way back for his children.
Thank you very much for this message. It has lifted my faith.
When the world around seems to fall in and crush me, I find being still and in conversation with my Lord, Jesus Christ is what brings absolute joy, peace, and eternal hope. There is nothing like this feeling in our soul and spirit. The love of God for us is so great, it can’t be humanly explained. Sometimes I feel like dancing in the street like David did. The joy is so pure.
The word of God is a strong tower.
This message lets me know that God is always there for us, no matter what the situation. He has a plan!
Through this message, I am lifted and encouraged.
Thank you so much Lord for your divine plan for me. I will continue to trust you for your unfailing love.
Yes, the lord saved me 5 years ago and I never looked back. My life is in a better place with the help of the Lord Jesus’s Christ. Amen 🙏🏻
This message is timely for me. God bless.
Thank you for the word of God. I have learned not to give up. I know God always has good plans for his people and those who trust him .
When I look back over my life of 66 years, I can see how God’s loves had brought my life to what it is today. During the times when I’m wholeheartedly committed and during the times I’ve gone astray. It is clear to me my purpose and destiny.
Really true and I always experience God’s love and grace in my hardest time.. God’s plan uplifts my spirit ..He is always there to pick me up when I almost fall.. Thank you Father God for doing miracles in my life… Glory and honor belongs to You❤️❤️❤️Amen..
Thank God for receiving this words of encouragement. Glory be to the most high 🙌 Amen
Two years ago I moved in the valley of the shadow of death but I thank God for his plans for me to have life . Be blessed for the encouraging message.
Awesome message from God. Thank you for the plans he has for me.
God is good all the time. God is good.
Thank you for this passage of reviving words. I feel strength rising in me to go on during trying times.
Now I know through this wonderful message.that my future is bright, Thank you Lord Jesus.
I thank God for everything he has done for me and my family.
Thank you, Lord. I am blessed to know he has better plans for me.
His grace is sufficient for me and my family!
Great message of assurance of God’s continuous faithfulness. The Word repeated to me at the right time. I am so much blessed and encouraged.
God is good and he never abandoned his own.
This is the hope that we have in God. No matter what we may go through in this life, this is not the end. God has good plans for us and he will brings us out.
Thank you for this message and this assurance from God to us.
This message is timely. I’m assured that He is forever a faithful God.
This is a very good message to me in my current situation. Thank you for ministering to me.
I am that God cares! I am encouraged by this message.
Thank you for bringing this powerful and encouraging message from God to me.
God’s is true.
Surely God loves me and I will continue serving Him for He is good. Thanks for this word.
Thanks for the message. I now understand that we can have our earthly and personal plans. Above all, the genuine plans are of the Lord. Uplifting message.
This is wonderful. I am blessed by the word of God I received from you.
Very encouraging in light of our world developments currently.
Wow, indeed God has good plans for my future. Thanks for the powerful message.🙏
Thanks be to the Lord. May it be done according to your will.
Thank you God for this message and for not allowing me to fall down. Father, let your will be done over my life, in Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you GOD for this message.
Thank you for the message because I know that God has a good plan for me. This year will be my year of celebration.
Great message. Thank you! In chapter 28 Hananiah says that the vessels of the Lord’s house will be returned within two years. Hananiah took the yoke bars from the neck of Jeremiah and broke them….
Jeremiah says: ‘when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.’ The exiled Jews spent seventy years (not two) in exile. The Lord will NEVER forget His promises and His plans, but His time might be different to ours, or what others might ‘prophesy’.
We need to be able to discern between cheap and costly grace!
God is good. He speaks to us through his Word. I learned a lot through all I’ve read today.
This is a powerful message.
Satan is a lie and God is in control. Thanks for your wonderful and powerful message.
Lord God Almighty, your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. It’s your word that upholds me.
We must trust in God with everything we have.
I am a son of God, by faith I am blessed.
God is the most powerful king. He who believes in his name is blessed and prosperous. I really do believe. 🙏 ❤️
This word has encourages me. God gives you more knowledge to know the purpose of your calling.
I really like the word of God. Thank you so much.
I felt blessed for having been reminded of God’s love and care towards his people.
Thank you for this wisdom.
I’m blessed because I know God is in control.
Thank you Lord for making your plans known to us.
So soothing, and encouraging.
God is just the best ♥️🤍
God is the Master planner. Whatever He has planned for us will come to pass. By the grace of God, we shall not lose hope.
Thanks for these powerful words. I’m so blessed.
Good message. Amen