God’s Plans

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by His wounding you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:24-25 HCSB

God has always guided His people. He has taught us wisdom’s ways and led us in straight paths, allowing us to run our race with certainty.[1]

In the Old Covenant, Hashem led His people by a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. Every time the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud would cover it. Then from evening until morning. the cloud appeared as a pillar of fire. This was the regular pattern and when the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel followed it. When the cloud stopped, so would they.[2]

Though we no longer have that visual cue, God’s Shepherd heart has not changed. Now, instead of the shekina glory, Hashem has given the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. The Spirit will tell us what He has heard and direct us concerning the future.[3]

Yahweh Ra’ah is still our shepherd and He still longs to lead us in green pastures.[4] He will feed us while carrying the weakest among us close to his heart.[5] We may think that we have wandered too far; all human shepherds may have given up on us; but the Sovereign Lord says “I myself will search and find my sheep. I will rescue them from where they were scattered on a dark and cloudy day.”[6]

God told Jeremiah that His plans for our lives are good plans, filled with joy and peace.[7] Apparently, this joy and peace exists independently of the circumstances of our lives because the people of Israel were in Babylonian captivity at the time.

God’s plans for us are always for good.[8] Though we may not understand them and the thought of someone having unknown plans for our lives may leave us feeling out of control, rest assured that we can expect something marvelous from the Lover of our souls.[9]

He cares about what we do. He cares about the details of our lives[10] because they are a barometer of the condition of our hearts. The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.[11] He wants to help us follow the path[12] that will be most pleasing to Him, not the path that may be most pleasing to us. However, when we follow Him, we’ll find that His path always turns out to be the best in the long run.[13]

God does not want His people to be uncertain about His will in any given matter.[14] Walking with God is not a guessing game. He wants us to know His will.[15] Trust that fact. Trust His heart. Trust His wisdom. Obediently trust the Lord and you will soon find your way.

[1] Proverbs 4:11-12
[2] Numbers 9:15-23
[3] John 14:26; 16:13
[4] Psalm 23:1-3; Matthew 9:36; John 10:14-16
[5] Isaiah 40:11
[6] Ezekiel 34:6, 11-12; 1 Peter 2:25
[7] Jeremiah 29:10b-14a
[8] Psalm 138:8
[9] 1 Corinthians 2:9
[10] Psalm 139:3
[11] Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 16:9; 20:24
[12] Psalm 32:8
[13] Genesis 24:27
[14] Isaiah 30:21
[15] Ephesians 5:17; Psalm 32:8