DEVOTION – DAY 158

Jeremiah 29:11 “God Is Always Good”

 

Jer.29:11 “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.”

Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord had this message in the above verse given to His chosen people, the Jews, when they were living in exile. The people were losing hope of ever seeing their homeland again having been in exile for many years. Here, God offers hope in promising to His people that the plans He had for them were good plans. Even their time in exile was good. How could something that seemed bad be good? God was using the people’s time in exile to draw the people back from their idolatrous ways to Him. The time in exile was to strengthen the remnant people of the Lord so that when they returned to occupy the land of Israel surrounded by enemy nations, the people would remain strong and firm in Him. They would be able then, to rebuild their nation, worshipping the one true Living God.

It is a common response that when people face hard times, they would immediately cry out to God to rescue them and remove their hardship. When that does not happen, their faith in God would waver and some may even turn away from God thinking God had abandoned them. The opposite is true. God never abandons His people. God works differently from us and His plans are always good and will reveal to be good in His perfect timing.

I recall a time when I had failed in something. I thought my world had crumbled because my plans were dashed as a result of the failure. I did not know what to do. But as a result of the failure, I was redirected to a place I would not otherwise have gone. That was where the seed of the gospel was first sown in my heart. Out of that failure, I not only heard the gospel, I was also given a fresh start and that got me on to the road to improve my position.

I know someone who suffered a serious stroke. She was bedridden for a long time. Because of her condition, many prayed for her recovery. She eventually improved enough to be on a wheelchair. Looking back, she realized that her health crisis drew her closer to her family members who were her caregivers. Her relationship with God became deeper and she was able to appreciate the simple things in life that many people take for granted.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your plans for us are always good plans. Help us to look at all our circumstances, good as well as bad, as a means to draw close to you knowing that you will make all things good according to your will and purposes for us. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What are some difficult events that you have experienced that in hindsight turned out to be for your good? Share.
  2. In the light that God’s plans for you are good, what should your attitude be towards times in your life when things do not go smoothly?
  3. The next time you are disappointed about something, how should you respond instead?
  4. Since God’s timing may not be the same as our idea of timing, how should you be waiting upon the Lord to answer your prayers?