Scripture of The Day
July 12, 2021
For I know the plans (and thoughts) I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good (peace, prosperity, well-being, security and success) and not for disaster (evil, hurt, suffering or calamity), to give you a (good) future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT, AMP, CEV, EXB, ICB, ISV, NCV, NIRV, NIVUK)
By Ed Henderson (2019)
Jeremiah 29:11 is probably one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. It is especially revealing when you look at all the different translations of the Bible. It reveals the thoughts and intents of God’s heart towards us. Thoughts always precede actions!!! You and I do not do anything without it first being a thought. God is the same way because we are made in His image. Now, let’s take a close look at what God is thinking about. Is he thinking about how He can put sickness on you to teach you a lesson of some sort? Is He thinking about creating some kind of disaster to punish you for something you did or said? Is He thinking about putting road blocks in your way to keep you from prosperity and success? No, No, No!!!!!! His thoughts towards you are always for the good. He wants us to prosper and be in health. He wants us to walk in His ways and have success.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 2) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:8-9)
His thoughts towards His children are always loving, redemptive, or restorative in nature. When we are lost, His thoughts are to leave the ninety and nine and find the one that is lost. When we go through tragedy, His thoughts are to restore. When we mess up, His thoughts are always redemptive in nature. If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. (1 John 1:9, Amplified Bible)
All you have to do is look at Jesus and He is a perfect reflection of His Father’s thoughts. Jesus was all about loving the unlovely, redeeming the lost, and restoration. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) God’s mercies are new every morning and He will always turn the very thing Satan meant for harm to the good. Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart. (Genesis 50:20, The Message Bible) The bottom-line is this. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). God is not a thief. God is good and He is good all the time!!!
