Set Free: 21 Day Devotional: Day 3

“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."
Jeremiah 29:11  NIV

In high school, we had a class project in which we were required to write out our life plan.  I loved this project and oh, did I ever have a plan for my life.  My plan included going to college, working in the family business, have a nice home, a beautiful wife, lots of kids, and success!  I thought I knew how my life was going to go.  What could go awry?  I found out quickly that life doesn’t always happen like we thought or hoped.  In fact, sometimes our life feels like a mess and sometimes our plans go awry, but we can trust God - He has it figured out for us.

In Jeremiah 29, God just told Israel that the mess that they created would lead them into captivity that would last for 70 years.  But, at the same time, God reminded them that His plan for Israel had not changed, if they would be willing to seek Him again.  And God’s plan for you and I haven’t changed either.  Occasionally, you and I may find our lives in what feels like a mess, but let’s remember that God’s plan for us is still the same as when He first called us.  His plan is still to prosper you and not to bring you harm.  His plan provides us with hope and a future.  God’s plan is not for us to stay in the bondage of our mistakes or in the confusion of our chaos, but to set us free into a life full of hope and a blessed future.  Whatever season you may be in, remember that God is for you!

God, thank you that even when my life feels like a mess and my plans seem to have gone awry, that you have not left me and that your plan to give me hope and a future have not changed.  Help me to seek you and trust you when I can’t see beyond the mess.