"i Know The Plans I Have For You!" Does This Apply To Us?

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” [1]

Years ago, I read Herbert Lockyer’s delightful tome, “All the Promises of the Bible.” [2] In that book, Dr. Lockyer discussed what a promise is, cautioning that the reader is responsible to ascertain such information as who gives the promise, to whom the promise is given, and what conditions may be attached to the promise. He then lists well over three thousand promises that are recorded in the Word of God.

The Bible reader may recall how the Apostle Paul has written of God’s promises, “The Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” [2 CORINTHIANS 1:19-20]. When the Bible records a promise given by the Lord, we can be assured that God will honour the promise. However, we who follow the Christ as Lord of Light are responsible to know whether a given promise is meant for us or meant for another.

It shouldn’t be surprising, therefore, that there are many verses to be found in Scripture that comfort the people of God. It is a tragic truth that too often people claiming a verse as a promise are unaware of the context in which the verse was given. This condition is not universally negative, as sometimes the verse does present a principle that is applicable to us living in this day. Nevertheless, we must avoid drifting aimlessly through the Scriptures laying claim to verses in a willy-nilly manner; rather, we must consider the context in which a verse has been given to determine whether we have a right to lay claim to the promise provided.

I’m not suggesting that we who follow the Christ should avoid seizing the promises of God as our own; I’m only suggesting that we exercise discretion as we see the promises recorded in the written Word. I do recommend boldly appropriating those promises that are clearly intended for us, recognising that not every promise God has given is intended for us. Our Lord is gracious, He is generous toward us who have been born again into His Family. There are promises that are unquestionably ours to seize and to hold. There are yet other promises to which we have no claim.

Again, I emphasise that God is gracious and He delights to give good gifts to His children. I do not want to discourage anyone from seeking the Father’s blessing. However, I want us to be wise in laying claim to the promises found in the Word. Jesus has said, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” [JOHN 14:13-14]. However, it is one thing to ask the Father to give us His gifts, it is quite another thing to demand that the Father keep a promise that was never ours to claim.

GOD DOES GUIDE THE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST — “I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” [JEREMIAH 29:11]. As we approach this promise, it seems essential to recognise that God does direct the path of His people. He watches over His own people, guiding them as they pass through this life. The guidance God provides comes in multiple ways. Let’s look at the ways God provides guidance for His people.

God can guide as He speaks through dreams and visions. This method of guiding His people is not the normal experience. In fact, it would be fair to say that few can claim to have received such divine guidance, though it has been recorded in biblical accounts as it has on rare occasions in contemporary literature.

We have looked at instances in previous messages of God speaking to His servants through dreams and through visions. You may recall one account as those on the second missionary journey recorded in Acts were attempting to fulfil what they believed to be their responsibility. [3]

Paul and Silas had launched out on this second mission of carrying the message of Christ into regions that were without the message of life. They began the journey by visiting churches that were already in existence in Syria and Cilicia [see ACTS 15:40-41]. Passing through Derbe and Lystra, they strengthened churches, adding a young man who was highly commended by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium [see ACTS 16:1-3]. Thus, the missionary band now consisted of Paul, Silas, and Timothy. This band continued through Phrygia and Galatia, strengthening the churches.