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)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
Dear Father, as I sit here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, on retreat with a few dear friends, these Scriptures set my heart at rest and my feet to dancing.
I’m so thankful these amazing promises claim us a ton more than we claim them. Hallelujah… because of Jesus’ finished work, we’re a part of your incredible story of redemption and restoration. We don’t have to be afraid of anything—death or life, brokenness or weakness, health issues or political madness, what people think of us or what Satan throws at us.
Father, you are incomparably good and irrepressibly loving. The future you’ve planned for us is bursting at the seams with hope, joy, and wholeness. No eye has seen, ear heard, or mind imagined what you have prepared for those you love, but your Word gives us tantalizing, heart-palpitating glimpses. Thank you.
Our salvation is a work we didn’t begin, and you alone can finish. We never could’ve performed our way out of our sin, or earned our way into your love. From beginning to end, our salvation is all of grace, declaring your glory and our blessing.
We contributed nothing but our sin, and you gave everything to us in Jesus. Father, make this more real than ever to the 8 of us on this retreat, and to all my friends who share in these daily prayers.
Oh, the peace that comes with really believing the gospel is as complete and good as you declare it to be. Oh, the wonder of realizing that one Day, we will be as lovely and loving as Jesus, for you will complete this good gospel-work in our lives.
For so great a salvation we worship you; for so awesome a Savior, we adore you; for another day to live to your glory, we thank you. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ glorious and grace-full name.
