“‘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
A woman whom I had been counseling shook her head and nervously said to me, “I could never live in a wheelchair totally paralyzed.”
“Relax,” I replied with a smile, “because you’ll most likely never have to.”
“How can you be so sure?” she said suspiciously.
I had her flip open her Bible and read Jeremiah 29:11. After she read the verse, she frowned and said, “But what about you? Look at your wheelchair. You don’t think God’s plan harmed you?”
I sighed and smiled at the woman, realizing there was no way I could humanly convince her that God’s plan for me has only meant spiritual prosperity and a hopeful future. But then again, I’m the only one who needs to be convinced of it. And I am!
Because God is love, His plans can only be loving. Because God is good, His intentions for you are of the highest good. Because He is the Lord of Hope, His purpose is to always give you hope. He can never be (or do!) less than He is.
God will only permit in your life those trials that, with His grace, you are able to handle. That includes everything from emotional pain to physical paralysis. And this is why you have the assurance that His plans only mean spiritual prosperity for you and a hopeful future.
My good and great God, I praise You today for the hope You offer Your people. Thank You that I have the assurance that Your plans always reflect my highest good and Your most perfect glory. Whatever trials I may face, help me to trust in Your promises.
