Day Eight // Reading: Jeremiah 29:11

Devotional

“‘For 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, NLT

Have you ever wondered what God thinks about you? And if He thinks about you, what are His thoughts about your life? I love that the Word of God can bring some clarity to this question we have all asked ourselves.

Purpose-filled daughter, just as God had plans for His children in the Old Testament—God has plans for you.

The word “plans” used in this passage is so rich. It refers to the designs, intentions, and purposes of God. It refers to God’s thoughts towards His people—you included—as well as the plans or intentions arising from these thoughts. The word is also used in reference to the skillful inventions coming from the mind of an artist.

In context, this verse was spoken to a group of people who were fearing for their lives. They were doubting God’s goodness and wondering if He really did have their best interest at heart. In the middle of their doubt, God steps in and assures them He loves them, cares for them, and actually has wonderful plans for their peace, hope, and future.

The same holds true for you today. God has plans of peace for you. This doesn’t mean on the outside nothing will go wrong; we all know that’s impossible. But it does mean on the INSIDE, we don’t need to live in constant striving, fear, or worry. We can rest in the assurance that comes from placing our trust in God and His purpose for our lives.

He has a future in store for you. That’s significant here because the people in this passage were wondering if they would live to see tomorrow. Sometimes life just feels like it’s too much—and when it does, there’s a promise that you can stand on. In God’s eyes, He has a destiny and future for you beyond what you see with your eyes. And that future is filled with hope. When we put our trust in Jesus and His Word for our lives, we always have reason to hope. It’s not the kind of hope that says “fingers crossed something good might happen.” No, this is a hope that has an assurance attached to it. This word “hope” carries with it an expectation for good, not bad.

That is what God has in store for you. So anytime you are tempted to believe otherwise, stop those thoughts with the Word of God. Bring truth to your present and future. Your life has purpose in the eyes of God, and that purpose with Him is FILLED with hope, goodness, expectation, and peace.

Prayer: God, I believe that you have amazing plans for my life that are hope-filled, destiny-filled, and overflowing in the peace-filled presence of God. Help me to trust in Your plans and not my own and to follow You in everything I do.

Question: How does knowing that God has plans for my life fill me with hope?