Kendall the Fire

A scripture verse that has meant a lot to me through the years is Jeremiah 29:11. It goes like this: “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.” (NIV)

When considering the meaning of this verse, the first thing that any self-respecting Bible interpreter will tell you is that the context informs us that the author is talking to the collective Children of Israel, not to an individual or, as vs. 4 puts it, “to all the exiles who were carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon.” So, these are big plans being talked about here… not first and foremost the plans of “little old me.”

However, does that mean that God doesn’t care about, or know about, specific plans regarding my life? I would say “No!” God does know about (and I think cares about) my life and my plans. I think he cares about your plans, too.

It seems like I’ve read somewhere else in the Bible “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-30 niv). Since Jesus said that, we can rest assured that God knows about our lives and cares about our plans—intimately.

In writing about this verse, Skip Moen (Ph.D.) had a very interesting observation:

The word “plans” is from the Hebrew root “hashav,” and in it’s verb form it means to “make plans, reckon, account or think.” It is used 121 times in the O.T. Here in Jer. 29:11 we find it in the noun form “mahashavah.” There are several nuances surrounding it’s meanings, but they are all carry the idea of creating something new.  In its noun form “mahashavah” means “thought, plan or invention.” Elsewhere in Jeremiah it speaks of the plans that men follow. But again, within the context is the idea of new things.

I think that’s important. God is saying here in Jeremiah 29 “I know the new designs (or plans) I have for you.” These designs aren’t plans that were predetermined for you ages ago. God’s plans—at least the ones pertaining to us—are never cast in concrete. They are flexible, adjusting to our lives as our circumstances change.

It is easy to think (as I once did) that God has only one perfect plan for your life and that if you make a mistake or commit a sin, the plan will be forever destroyed. Then you will have to live with second best, then third best and so on each time you fail to meet expectations. But God does not have one perfect plan for you. He has one primary purpose—one goal—that you pursue conformity to the image of the Messiah, Jesus. But, while the purpose never changes, the plans are new ideas for every new day.

God is full of surprises—he is an eternal inventor/creator. No wonder God says in Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing—do you not perceive it?” I mean, do you really think for a moment that this wonderfully creative God stopped creating after the sixth day? No! he loves creating new things and new plans for you and me.

Ah, but preacher… in the scripture verse here God is saying “I know the plans I HAVE for you.” That implies that God already has the plans beforehand. Once again, there is a nuance that is not captured in the English translations. In the Hebrew the noun and the verb are the same root word repeated in two different forms. A more accurate way of translating the verse would be: “I know the plans I am planning for you,” declares the Lord.

I find it very exciting to know that God is working in the middle of my sometimes messy life to craft a wonderful and productive reality. What is true for me is also true for you. You are co-creating an exciting future with the Lord.