No Unfinished Plans
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Outline & Other Scriptures:
INTRODUCTION
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)
TEXT
Jeremiah 29:11 was written to the Jewish exiles in Babylon who had been forcibly removed from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.
They wondered if God had forgotten them.
Two very human mistakes:
1. They thought they would never end up in Babylon. That led them to false confidence.
2. They thought they would never get out of Babylon. That led them to despair.
Keep two things in mind:
1. God will not always do what we expect Him to do.
2. But, He will always do what He says He will do.
Jeremiah 29:11:
“I know the thoughts that I think toward you…” (NKJV)
God never forgets His children!
God knows what He is thinking even when we don’t.
Jeremiah 29:11
“…thoughts of peace, and not of evil…” (NKJV)
“…plans for welfare and not for evil…” (ESV)
“…plans to take care of you, not abandon you…” (MSG).
“…plans for good and not for disaster…” (NLT).
- God is trying to purge us of sin and to purify us of iniquity.
- God uses suffering to test our faith.
- God uses times of difficulty to humble us.
- God uses hard times to prepare us to minister to others.
- God uses hard times to prepare us for a new understanding of His character.
Jeremiah 29:11:
“…to give you a future and a hope.” (NKJV)
God has no unfinished plans!
God thinks of us, that His thoughts toward us are good, and then when His purposes have been completed, He will bring our troubles to their appointed end.
APPLICATION
Proverbs 4:18
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. (NLT)
CONCLUSION
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (NKJV)