Trusting the Lord and His Perfect Plan  

Jeremiah 29.1-14

Because of their continued rebellion against the Lord, the Israelites faced judgment, were overcome by Babylon and taken into captivity. However, the Lord did not forget them. Jeremiah sent a letter of encouragement to those who were in exile. Even though it may have appeared all hope was gone and that they would never see their homeland again and though there was the potential for depression and discouragement, there was true hope. The Lord assured them that even in the darkest hours of life, they were not hidden from God or in a place of His inactivity. “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).

The Lord has not changed. As He knows His people Israel, so He knows His people today. Having been redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ, He knows all there is to know about us and our surroundings and situations. We don’t need to know. We may want to know how all the pieces of the puzzle of our lives fit together, but the Lord knows what is best for us. Those in captivity knew the “end of their story:” I will gather you… and bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile (29.14). After 70 years of captivity, they would go home. What they did not know were the events of all the “in-between days.” They didn’t need to know. Similarly, we don’t know all the events of our “in-between days” and their purpose, and we do not need to know. However, we can have true hope, knowing the end of our story – all believers in Jesus Christ will be brought to their eternal home, in His perfect time, ever in the presence of our Savior. Until then we also have this hope: our Lord knows all our days, past, present, and future; we know He is good and all He does is good, and through all our life He has a sovereign plan for our good and His glory. Therefore, we can fully trust Him in all things and at all times.

Knowing our Lord is sovereign – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry