Expected End

Posted by Yakuti in Archives, Devotional | | 0 comments

The Word: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).

Prayerful Contemplation: It would be wonderful enough if God, the Infinite Creator of the entire universe, had just one thought concerning me. But here, He pluralizes the action (i.e., thought) and assures me that He has many wonderful plans for me. I like the word “toward,” because although in this sense it means “about” or “concerning,” it can also be looked at as the opposite of “against,” or “away from”. God is always reaching out to me, even in His thoughts.

His plans are always for my good, never for my harm, no matter what my circumstances may appear to declare. How do I know for sure that God’s intents are for my good, with all the strange things happening around the world? I need no other reason than that He says so. As His child, I am assured that all things, be they pleasant or unpleasant, work together for my good (Romans 8:28).

“To give you an expected end.” This is my favourite part of the entire verse. What is the end that I expect? Once upon a time, I expected academic prowess, social establishment, business success, and other superficial things. I was never satisfied, because I sought satisfaction in this world. However, as I grow in God and continue to be renewed by His Holy Spirit, my expectations become more and more conformed to His plan for me, so that what I expect and what He wants to give me will in His time be one and the same. At the end of each day, I can rest assured that His plans for that day came to pass. At the beginning of each day, I can commit my activities to Him, confident that His plans for the day ahead will come to pass as well. Furthermore, regardless of how things go, I am guaranteed an eventual happy ending.

Practical Application: I should never worry about what my situation looks like or feels like. Because God is on the throne, everything’s going to be alright, whether I sense it now or not. Jesus left me His very own peace, not worldly peace. In the LORD, I am secure, for His plans are the best for me. Because He is my Maker, He can plan my life better than I could ever hope to in my own strength.

Memory Verse: Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, with thanks I come to you, humbly appreciating that You have chosen to reveal to me in Your Word the fact that You have planned wonderful things for me. I am always on Your mind and for that I will for ever be grateful. I ask You this day to align my expectations with Yours, so that I may always see the blessings You give me each new day. Please renew my mind so that I may acknowledge You in all my ways. In the matchless Name of Jesus Christ I humbly ask it.

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