“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.” Jer. 29:11
Heavenly Father, hallelujah, you are a “planner”—not a passive observer or cosmic finger-crosser. Before the world began you planned to make us your beloved children (Eph.1:4-5) and to make us like Jesus (Rom. 8:28-30). Thank you! What you plan happens… period.
Where we get “miffed,” confused, and antsy is about life between those two glorious chapters in our stories. If we could fill in all the details, we’d include minimal suffering and copious “blessings.” And why wouldn’t we?
Father, when you first penned “Jer. 29:11,” it was referring to a very difficult season in the life of your people—an exile in Babylon. “Stuff” doesn’t just happen; but providence is always happening. Grant us grace when our lives seem to contradict your Fatherly sovereignty and your commitment to give us “a future and a hope.”
Like when healing comes slowly and difficult news comes often. Like when our kids struggle and the Ukraine war continues. Like when Joseph’s brothers did evil and you meant it for good (Gen. 50:20). Like when Job’s life was a total disaster, but there was a bigger story and plan in play. Like when you take months (or years) to show us the “No” to the prayer we prayed was really a “Yes” waiting in the wings of your perfect timing.
Father, you gave Jesus for us (John 3:16; Rom. 8:32), and you gave us to Jesus (John 17:24). Thank you! Surely we can trust you when some things make zero sense to us, or when there’s “no fig blossoms or grapes on the vine” (Hab. 3:17-19). When “darkness hides your lovely face,” we will “rest on your unchanging grace.” So Very Amen.