Mid-Week Review: An Unexpected End

Have you ever felt like life just doesn’t make sense? Like everything is a tangled mess, and you don’t know why things happen the way they do? If so, you’re not alone. The people of Israel felt the same way when they were taken captive in Babylon. They were confused, frustrated, and full of questions. But God had a message for them—and it’s the same message He has for you today.
In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Another way to say it is, "a hope and a future." Even when the Israelites were stuck in a place they didn’t want to be, God had a plan for them. He wasn’t making things up as He went along—He had already prepared their path.
God’s Plan is Bigger Than We Can See
Think about your life. Can you explain exactly how you got to this moment? Probably not! Life is full of choices, twists, and turns. Sometimes it feels like a mess—like the back of a tapestry with threads going in every direction. But if you could see the front, you’d realize that every thread has a purpose. The problem is, we can’t see the finished picture yet.
That’s why the Bible says, "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). We don’t always understand what God is doing, but we can trust that He sees the whole picture and is leading us in the right direction.
You Were Made for This Journey
Have you ever said, "I’m just not made for this!"? Maybe life feels too hard, or a situation seems too much to handle. But the truth is, God made you specifically for the path you’re on. He didn’t create you and then figure out what to do with you—He designed you on purpose, for a purpose!
Think of a runner. A racecourse isn’t built to match the runner’s abilities; the runner trains to match the course. In the same way, God created you to face the path He’s set before you. Nothing surprises Him. He knows every twist and turn, every obstacle, and every challenge. And He’s walking with you every step of the way.
God’s Thoughts Are Always Toward You
Psalm 40:5 says, "Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." God isn’t just thinking about you—His thoughts are directed toward you. He’s constantly planning for your good, even when you can’t see it.
Even in the toughest moments, God hasn’t abandoned you. He’s right beside you, just like He was with Jonah when he ran, David when he messed up, and Peter when he denied Jesus. God knew they would make mistakes, but He never left them. He stood with them through it all, guiding them back to His plan.
Hope for the Future
Life isn’t always easy. Jesus even said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). The world will bring struggles, pain, and challenges—but Jesus has already won the victory.
Whatever course you’re on, you were made for it. You’re not alone. And you have everything you need to find hope for the future.
Paul put it this way in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." That’s the goal—to keep the faith, trusting that one day, when we see the other side of the tapestry, we’ll understand just how perfectly God wove our lives together.
So no matter where you are right now, remember: God has a plan, He is in control, and His thoughts are always toward you. Trust Him, and keep moving forward!


-Tom Bragdon

This devotion came from a summary of the Morning Worship Sermon on 02/23/25, to watch the Full Sermon on this topic, simply follow the link below.


Disclaimer:
This devotion was created with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While every effort has been made to ensure the content aligns with biblical principles and spiritual values, readers are encouraged to consult scripture and seek personal guidance for their faith journey.