Dr. Montia Setzler, Lead Pastor
August 28, 2016
Series: Depending on God in Uncertain Times
Depending on God to Secure My Future
Jeremiah 29:10–14 (HCSB)
For this is what the LORD says: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you” – this is the LORD’s declaration – “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you” – this is the LORD’s declaration – “and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you” – this is the LORD’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”
1. GOD KNOWS THE PLANS HE HAS FOR US
v 11 “For I know the plans I have for you” – this is the LORD’s declaration – “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Psalm 40:5 (HCSB)
LORD my God, You have done many things – Your wonderful works and Your plans for us; none can compare with You. If I were to report and speak of them, they are more than can be told.
• God’s plans have our best in mind.
• God’s plans protect us from disaster.
• God’s plans have our future in mind.
• God’s plans create hope.
2. WE DISCOVER GOD’S PLAN FOR US THROUGH PRAYER
v 12 “You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
1 John 5:14–15 (HCSB)
Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.
• Recognizing our need provides the basis for prayer.
• Our prayer captures the ear of God.
3. WE CAN FIND A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WHEN WE SEEK HIM
vv 13-14a “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you…”
Deuteronomy 4:29 (HCSB)
But from there, you will search for the LORD your God, and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.
• God desires a relationship with us.
• He is never hard to find, He’s always right there for us.
4. WE CAN KNOW THAT GOD’S PLAN IS THE BEST PLAN
v 14b “…and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you” – this is the LORD’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”
• God’s plans for us bring full restoration.
• God’s plans for us are better than we can imagine.
Our plans do not always line up with God’s plans, but His plans are always far superior to ours. If we are willing to pray and seek Him, He will reveal Himself to us. He is never hard to find.
