hope

HOPE

            Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the many promises that a believer gets from the Bible. The verse begins with the famous words: “For I know the thoughts I think toward you” (KJV). God is evidently the speaker, and this realisationgives us the consolation that one, our God is AWARE of our existence and that two, He thinks about us. The NIV replaces the word “thoughts” with “plans”. And ‘plan’ goes hand-in-hand with the future – I have never heard of anyone plan for the past; have you? What God is telling us is that we should relax; He has taken care of our future.

            The verse goes on to describe the plans. We learn that they are not evil designs and plots, but rather, they are plans to “prosper” us. Prosperity is the dream of all humanity –men, women and children from all races. And it is part of the plans that our wonderful Creator has for us. And, from the plans, the outcome is two-way: to give us a hope – looking forward, with assurance, to good things happening to us or coming our way – and a future – long life in which our dreams are made a reality. We should not be afraid of the future, God holds the future. How comforting this is!

            From this verse, what can we say the believer is expected to do? Just believe what the scripture says, and, in prayer and supplication, with faith, claim the promise. Claim it today.