“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
God’s will is mysterious. Although He has revealed His will for every believer’s life in His Word and through His Spirit, there are many details that are left unknown. God does not give us the answers to all of our questions. This can be frustrating because it requires more faith than we can muster on our own.
It would be easier to trust God and His plan if He laid out each and every step for us…or would it? We tend to think it would. But maybe this is not the case. Perhaps if God showed us everything, it would be too much for us and we would turn back.
In order for God to glorify Himself through our lives, He must push us out of our comfort zones. He leads us to mountaintops; but He also leads us through dark valleys of despair. His will does not always make sense to our temporal mindset. But we must remember that God sees the end from the beginning; and anything He allows into our lives is for our good and His glory.
So, what do we do when we don’t have the answers that we think we need? We can cling to this promise in Jeremiah 29:11. This verse is often misused and misunderstood to mean that God’s plans are never hard or sad or uncomfortable. That is not what this verse promises. God has plans to prosper His children and not harm us, yes. He has plans to give us a hope and a future, yes. But this is according to His standards, not by ours, and not by this world’s.
Our God is so mighty and majestic that He can glorify Himself through tragedy, hardship and suffering. The most gracious thing that God can give us is Himself…and it is in the valleys of life that we are drawn most near to His heart. We cannot understand it or explain it…it is just part of the beautiful mystery of living life with God.
So, the next time you have more questions than answers. The next time you are struggling and desperately need to hear from God. Remember that what you need isn’t something from God…you need God. His plans are always good, because God is always good. (James Merritt)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
