"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)
There are few words as powerful as the prophecy by Jeremiah shared in our verse today. The sad thing though that either for lack of knowledge or belief so many of us walk the earth like those without a plan or sense of destiny.
After a long career one friend ended up at the top of a global organisation. He looked back at his life. He realised how he had come a long way.
There had been moments he felt the going was too rough. Like when his parents struggled with paying his school fees and was late in joining school. There were wars that kept him from school and he almost lost his life in the cross fire. And when he finally graduated and started working his salary could hardly make ends meet leaving him wonder why he had taken so much time in school!
But then he always had known and held on to God's promises: "plans to prosper and not harm you"!" Even as he run into a difficult boss who almost made him quit, he recalled God's words: "plans to give you a hope and a future". This is how he was able to endure and overcome all his challenges at home and workplace to end up a global leader.
Where today you find yourself feeling low because of certain challenges, obstacles or trails, you might be facing, know that you are not wherever you happen to be by chance. There is a God of creation who is on your side and the words he spoke through prophet Jeremiah were clearly meant for you. Hold fast on to them.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the plans for my life for there are good and pleasing to you and no matter what the enemy will not snatch anything you willed for my destiny.
Related upcoming events
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28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
