In this crucial hour when not only Americans but all peoples of all nations collectively are faced with the catastrophic effects of the most expansive economic collapse in the annals of human history, it is calming, comforting, and cheering to know that the Sovereign and Almighty God has a plan, has eternally known what the plan is, and that His plan—for individual believers and His true Body alike—is not for harm, calamity, disaster, or destruction, but welfare, good, prosperity, peace, and a hope-filled future.
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’ (Jer. 29:11, NASB)
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. (Ibid; NIV)
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Ibid; AB)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Ibid; NLT)
In the present tumultuous times in which talk of crisis, collapse, and calamity fill the air and images vividly portraying same fill our television screens, it is vital for believers to understand one thing—God has a plan. He’s always had a plan. In fact it is not just a plan, rather His plan is THE plan. The various translations of this oft-quoted verse cited above reflect some poignant points concerning the plans that He has for us.
First, it’s thrilling to just know that the Almighty has a plan for our welfare and well-being—that a plan actually exists. How often do people—believers and non-believers alike—languish in life for lack of a plan and because they don’t know what God’s plan is! One of the most pitiful divine laments in the Word of God is: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6). In other words, those who profess to be God’s people and wear the badge—“Christian”—don’t know that God has always had a specifically and intentionally devised plan for their life, and they have no clue what that plan is.
