“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Heavenly Father, Hallelujah! This verse isn’t the private domain of one nation, a promise for an individual believer to claim. Rather, it’s your meta-promise that claims me, us, and every nation (Rev.7)—everything above, on, and below the earth (Rev.5:13)—every scintilla of the cosmos and nanosecond of time. You have left nothing to chance, but all things to Jesus (Col.1:15-20; Heb.1:2-3; Eph.1:10).
Thank you for being a Planner not a Suggester—the Author and Perfecter of our faith, not a mere life coach or spiritual mentor. We really don’t have to be afraid of anything—in life and death, or anything in between. The Gospel confirms you are unequivocally and incomparably good. Your Word dares us to believe that our future is crammed full and bursting at the seams with truth, goodness, and beauty—beyond anything our eyes, ears, and minds have imagined.
“Stuff” happens in life, but your sovereignty eats “stuff” for lunch. And every circumstance, consequence, and coincidence serve the purposes of your providence. SO, how should all of this rich theology impact how we live on this Super Bowl Sunday, next Thursday at 3pm, March 7th and every day till you take us Home? We don’t have to guess, Abba. You have called us to love you with everything we have and are—to love mercy, work for justice, and walk humbly with you (Micah 6:8). We are to grow in grace and in relationship with Jesus (2Pet.3:18). We are to love each other as Jesus loves us—stay convictable, be quick repenters, and great forgivers. Thank you, Abba, and So Very Amen.