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Call to Him

             ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3)

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. (Jeremiah 29:11)

          Again, we’re at the time of year when we need to look back (as we’ve done over the past few days) and to look forward. As we begin to look forward, the end of Renovation of the Heart suggests that we consider in what areas we are most in need of the most work in terms of becoming the sort of person who naturally does the things that Scripture tells us we should do. Logically, our first step should be to ask God His opinion on the matter.

          The first challenge to this is whether or not we believe that God will tell us. Yes, the passage above says that God will tell us things - and not just things but great and unsearchable things.  He knows the plans He has for us. They are plans for our welfare and the welfare of others. They are plans that will give us and others a future and a hope. They are plans that involve our being conformed to the image of Christ.

          It seems to me that when I call to Him, or ask Him about those plans, my attitude isn’t one of a child receiving a Christmas present. It’s more likely to be a cringing duck to avoid the cross on which I will be asked to put myself to death.

Dare I trust God that…

His plans are to prosper me?  

if those plans involve pain, that the pain will be worth it?

He will walk with me?

He is good?

I am not beyond His grace?

 

Lord, You have said that You know the plans You have for me, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give me a future and a hope. You have said that I should call to you and that you would tell me great and mighty things that I do not know. As I look toward the next year, give me a vision of the direction You have chosen for me. I lay my fears at Your feet, Lord, and ask that You would exchange them for your joy.  

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