“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. – Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)
The shrill sound jolted my tired body as I awkwardly punched the snooze button and sank back into the mattress. My eyes were barely open and I already felt the weight of the day.
Tragic events of the previous months clung to my soul like weeds in a garden. I was mourning a loss and hope of mending the broken pieces of my heart seemed so far out of reach. Although birds announced the arrival of spring outside, winter reamined inside.
Juggling lists, laundry, and the two lives in the next room were more than my spirit could take. Uncertainty of the day’s events produced a weight heavier than the loads of laundry I couldn’t manage to finish.
Uncertainty. Why do we fear the unknown? Perhaps we fear disappointment or the possibility of failure. Anxiety. We believe whispers from the enemy that plant seeds of anxiety instead of seeds of truth.
God Knows the Unknown
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. – Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)
In this passage, Jeremiah writes comfort and encouragement to those whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile in Babylon. These exiles spent 70 years in the land of Babylon and faced the very definition of “unknown”. During this time of anxiety, Jeremiah writes a letter to remind them that God is in control of their past, present, and future.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for a future and a hope (v.11)”
Friend, the Lord already knows the plans for your future before you make them. He knew the plans for Jerusalem when they faced the unknown. In the midst of my anxiety and grief, He already knew how the story would unfold.
His plans for me and for you are plans of hope; plans of trust in His everlasting grace and strength to guide you through life.
Call Upon His Name
I’m certain God’s people experienced anxiety and fear in the face of the unknown. However, in his letter, Jeremiah writes :
“…call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you (v.12).”
God’s desire is not for us to sink into crippling anxiety. He promises to hear us if we will only call upon His name. The apostle Peter reminds us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7 NIV).
An anxious spirit leads to an actionless life. Allowing anxiety to rule our spirits, prevents God from leading. We become motionless; rudderless in a sea of doubt and fear. It becomes difficult for us to remember God’s promises.
The deeper relationship we develop with God, the shadows of anxiety slip away as we rest in the shadow of the Almighty God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your everlasting promises of a future and a hope in my life. Help me to daily walk and trust that my life is not unknown with you. When I feel anxious and begin to believe doubt, help me to remember your promises are true. Guide me back to the Truth and your grace.
In Jesus name,
Amen
