Not For Disaster

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.

—Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Dear LORD,

Thank You that I can put my trust in You, knowing that there is no uncertainty within You—that You have a plan for my good, that You know my future and that You are with me so that I might have hope.

Interwoven among all the things that have ever happened, the things that are happening now, and anything that will ever happen, is the marvelous plan for my individual life that was authored by You.

In my own humanness, I do not fully understand where I have been, where I am now, or where I am going.  I do not fully know my own heart and I am uncertain of my own mind, at times.

 

But there is no uncertainty within You.  You know everything—past, present and future—and have designed a plan to bring me good and not disaster, to give me a future with you and great hope as I trust in You.

Thank You that I have no reason to fear anything that may have happened in the past, nor the things that are happening around me now, nor anything that may happen to me next—because the plan You have for me is a plan to greatly benefit me and not to cause me harm.

And though trouble may come to me—because I live in a world full of evil—You will always be working in the midst of every circumstance to carry me through it in peace and bring good out of it for me.

Thank You that I can put my trust in You, knowing that there is no uncertainty within You—that You have a plan for my good, that You know my future and that You are with me so that I might have hope.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Already There

I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
    if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
    and your strength will support me.

—Psalm 139:7-10 (NLT)

Omnipresent LORD,

Thank You that no matter where I go, You are already there, ready to comfort, guide and support me by Your Spirit.

When, in my foolishness, I have gone my own way and feel like I am far from where You are, help me to remember that I only need to reach for You and I will find You right there with me, ready to rescue me and gently guide me, by the power of Your right hand, to the path that I should follow.

Never let me forget that though I cannot see You and I may not always sense Your presence with me, You never leave me, but rather are constantly watching over me with a compassion for me that is far beyond my own understanding.

May the knowledge of Your constant presence with me create in me the courage to faithfully follow wherever You might lead me, trusting that You will sustain me in every way, no matter where find myself.

Thank You that no matter where I go, You are already there, ready to comfort, guide and support me by Your Spirit.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

For The LORD Is Good

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

—Psalm 100:4-5 (NKJV)

Loving and Merciful God,

May I always come to You with thanksgiving in my heart and praise on my lips for the goodness and mercy that You pour over me with each new day.

May it always be my first desire to seek You out and enter into Your presence—in good times and in bad—with gratitude for all that You have done for me and praise for who You are.

May I be encouraged by Your goodness, comforted in Your boundless mercy and never-ending love, and strengthened in my faith by Your unchanging truth which endures forever.

May I always come to You with thanksgiving in my heart and praise on my lips for the goodness and mercy that You pour over me with each new day.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.