Jeremiah 29:11
11 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.
What does it mean to “know”?
To truly know requires to full and complete understanding of all aspects of the subject at hand. It means that all details have been thought through. It means that you have full understanding and clarity. You know the path to take and the outcome it will bring if followed. It also means that you have control of the outcome.
Jesus says He knows the plans He has for us, so He has given it much concentrated thought down to the minute details. He contemplated every option and weighed them against His unlimited objective, which is to prospers us and to give us hope and a future. Why? Because He cares for us and only wants the best for us. Like a parent, a boss or any person of leadership who sincerely cares for the future of another person, He understands His own heart on this matter and deeply desires that the person in question will trust Him.
It is interesting that Jesus adds a qualifier phrase in this verse, “not to harm you”. Why did He feel the necessity to do so?
When another person asks you to follow them, there must be this qualifier in there as it begs the question of trust. The person offering guidance understands the follower’s dilemma, the internal question being mulled over. Is this person trustworthy? Is their advice going to have pain in its journey? What am I giving up following what they are saying? The main deciding factor is to give yourself into the hands of another person. TRUST is where we get hung up. A thousand thoughts circle around this single word as we contemplate to move forward or not towards the person’s outstretched hand.
This verse requires an action step to be taken. It cannot be read without deciding for yourself if it’s true or not and what those implications can mean in your life. You may find yourself skimming over it, but as you go through life, you will always be brought back to this single verse and once again, time after time, be asked to decide the trustworthiness of the author.
What will you do?
Just a Thought…
