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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NIV)
“At what time, Lord? When will it happen?” I ask God on a regular basis.
“At that time. When it’s a wholehearted search, then I will be found,” He says to me.
Do you ever wonder when things are going to get better? Or even if they will get better? God doesn’t promise us pain-free lives. I know this because He called us to follow Him and His path led to a cross. He didn’t walk carefree in the direction of His death. His battered body carried the weight of the world and a cross on His shoulders. His bruised face wore sorrow while tears fell from His eyes. His heart ached with pain for humanity’s sins, for mankind’s rebellious ways.
Yet He did it all for the joy set before Him, paving a pathway to forgiveness and freedom for sinners. He gained a seat in eternity at the right hand of God and made a way for us to live eternally with Him. He obtained mercy and grace for those who would believe on His name. He attained peace for anyone who would seek Him with a whole heart. So…
Are you anxious about your past? Does your future look grim? Have you spent years praying for a prodigal child? Are you weary and about to give up?
“Don’t lose heart,” says Jesus. “I’ve got prosperous plans for you that will give you hope. Wait on Me, trust my ways, and you will gain My strength because I never get tired. Your future contains peace beyond human understanding, if you will only seek Me with your entire being. Go ahead and begin your search, but do it with your whole heart. And when you seek Me in this way, then you’ll find Me and be refreshed. I love you and will never leave you.”
Have you been asking God when? Do you know His answer then? Don’t give up. Look to Him with your heart and soul. He has prosperous plans for you, me, and our families. But remember, God’s economy is not like ours. His prosperity means love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, peace, hope, and joy. Anything more than that is a blessing for which we offer thanks.
He loved you enough to die for you. Seek Him with your whole heart and love Him even more. While you’re at it, offer thanksgiving for His faithfulness.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 (CEB)
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?
He did not even spare His own Son
but offered Him up for us all;
how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
Romans 8:31-32 (HCSB)
Praise God with this wonderful song by Lincoln Brewster......