Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Lent 2018 | Page 17

Confidence in the Plan
Monday, February 26th
Jeremiah 29:11
The history project became more difficult and the child grew increasingly frustrated. He wondered if
things would always be this way. As a result of his anxiousness, he began to take shortcuts. Because he
did not faithfully follow the instructions, consequences resulted. The tasks began to pile up. The
project became even more difficult. Would this ever end?
As you reminisce about your past, can you find a time when you thought you were at life’s deepest and
darkest hour? Can you remember the feeling of despair, questioning if God was really there? At some
point, we have been in that moment where darkness overshadows us. Satan had a firm grasp on our
lives and we didn’t see any possible escape. Fast forward out of that dark spot to today. Can you see
how that dark moment made you a stronger person? Or better yet, how it re-focused your attention on
Christ who helped you through the situation? Or best of all, how God removed you from it?
In our lesson today, Jeremiah wrote to God’s people who were going off to captivity in Babylon. They
were not happy about having to leave Jerusalem and had many doubts. They didn’t want to hear this
was part of God’s plan. They didn't see how this would make them a stronger people. They were
skeptical this would make them a people more focused and reliant on God -- putting full trust in his
plans. In the moment, this was the farthest thing from their minds.
Still, God showed them his continual love and care. He provided them with the confidence and
certainty they needed. How? He promised through the mouth of his servant, “I know the plans I have
for you … not to harm you, but to give you hope and a future.” He would bring them back to Jerusalem.
He would make make them into a great and powerful nation. What wonderful words of
encouragement! Yet, they wanted to fix the situation themselves. They wanted control over the
situation. They didn't fully understand God’s plan. They didn't trust God was in complete control. They
didn't believe he was preparing them for more prosperous times to come.
Does that sound familiar? Like the overwhelmed and frustrated child, we find ourselves feeling that
same way at different moments in our lives. Have you ever questioned why things are not going the
way you planned? As God did for the people of Israel so he does for us. He gives us a promise and we
can trust it. God has our life planned out and is watching over us daily. He is guiding us along the paths
of this life to his glory everlasting. Trust God! He promises: “And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
Prayer: Almighty God, we know that you watch and guide our every step. Forgive us for the times we
forget that. By your Spirit help us remain faithful to you, trusting in you along life’s difficult paths with
the hope of eternity waiting for us through the redemptive work of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Activity: Reflect on a time in your life that you felt alone. Share how God helped you and made that
into a blessing and strengthened you as a Christian living in today’s society.
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