Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into one of the most comforting and inspiring verses in the bible - Jeremiah 29:11.

It tells us,

"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."

This scripture is a reminder that even when we feel lost, even when we can't see the path ahead, God has a plan for us. We are on a journey, led by Him towards His expected end for us. We may not always understand the roads we are on, but we can trust that God has a purpose in all things.

In the words A.W. Tozer, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity when we plan only what we can do ourselves."

Let's pray.

Dear Lord, as we examine Your word today, open our hearts and minds. Help us to trust in your plans, even when we can't see them. Remind us that you are the God of possibilities, the one who can do the impossible. Amen.

Now, let's dive in.

God's Plans for Us

God's plans for us are not always immediately clear or comprehensible to our human understanding, but they are always for our good and for His glory. This is the foundational truth that we must grasp when we talk about God's plans for us. The verse in Jeremiah 29:11 is a promise from God to His people, assuring them that His plans for them are not to harm them but to give them hope and a future. This promise is not just for the Israelites in the Old Testament, but for us today as well. God's plans for us are always good, even when they don't seem like it from our perspective.

They’re often different from our own plans: We may have our lives mapped out in a certain way, with specific goals and aspirations. But God, in His infinite wisdom and love, often has different plans for us. His plans are not to harm us, but to prosper us. This doesn't necessarily mean material prosperity, but rather spiritual prosperity. God's plans are designed to draw us closer to Him, to make us more like Christ, and to prepare us for eternity with Him.

They’re often beyond our understanding: We may not understand why certain things happen in our lives, why we face certain trials and tribulations. But we can trust that God has a purpose in all things. He is a God of order, not of chaos. He is a God of purpose, not of randomness. Even when we can't see the bigger picture, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good and His glory.

Involve our participation: He doesn't just have a plan for us, He has a plan with us. He invites us to be part of His grand plan, to co-labor with Him in the work of His Kingdom. This is an incredible privilege and responsibility. We are not just passive recipients of God's plans, but active participants in them.

Always rooted in His love for us: God is love, and everything He does is motivated by His love. His plans for us are not arbitrary or capricious, but are born out of His deep, unfathomable love for us. He desires the best for us, and His plans reflect that.

Not something to be feared or resisted: His plans are to be embraced and trusted. They are not a burden, but a blessing. They are not a mystery, but a manifestation of His love and wisdom.

The Journey to His Expected End

The journey to His expected end is a journey that is not always easy or straightforward, but it's one that is filled with purpose and promise ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO