by Ptr. Dani Castillo
“I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.”- Jeremiah 29:11(NCV) It was not the best of times for the Jews during the time of Jeremiah, for most of them had been captured by the evil king, Nebuchadnezzar and exiled into pagan Babylon. They were now in a different land, in a different culture, in a difficult situation, with a different people speaking a different language.
But, you see, God is in control! He is never surprised by what is happening to His people. In fact, He says “11… I know what I am planning for you.” The purposes of His heart concerning their welfare, particularly their restoration to their own land, Jerusalem – these were within Him, and known to Him, and Him only. He knows what He is doing and He remembers the details of His plan; so He will not fail to accomplish it. Men think and forget what they have thought of, and so this comes to nothing. But not with God. His thoughts come from love, grace, and mercy, to reconcile sinful men back to Him and to send His only begotten Son, Jesus, on that first Christmas.
He says, “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you.” The King James Version renders it “thoughts of peace, and not of evil.” Even for the exiled Jews in Babylon, yes, even their captivity was for their good (Jer 24:5). His thoughts concerning His people, their peace and reconciliation unto Him, and the manner of bringing it about, by the blood, suffering, and death of His Son, are all good plans. His thoughts and His plans are consistent with His everlasting and unchangeable love for them.
All of us at some point in our lives have likewise been captives… to a hurtful past, wrong decisions, bitterness, misdirected ambitions, sin and their consequences, and the like. But we fail to realize that we as God’s people, He has designed so much good for us, He has done so much for us, and He has bestowed so much blessings upon us.
All the issues in which He says, “I will give you hope and a good future.” It is an expected end, a very desirable one. To the Jews and to us as well, this has reference to the Messiah, in whom all God’s thoughts of peace are fulfilled.
The New Year promises a fresh start and fills every heart with hopes and aspirations. As we embark on a fresh year, let us remember God’s plan of peace which is in Christ Jesus. And that’s what we all long for – peace of mind and soul and peace with God. Let us share with our world how they can receive it, through Christ Jesus, by faith… yes one life at a time.
God bless you and your families. Merry Christmas and have a Blessed New Year!
