“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” (Jer. 29:11 NIV).

We can be extremely grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus that paid for our sins, and still be extremely burdened by the guilt that required it. We are thankful that our debt was paid, but our consciences are still stricken that we accumulated the debt that required his death.

We wonder how God can really love those who required the suffering of his Son, even if we are saved by his grace. That is why God speaks so forcefully and repeatedly of his unwavering care.

The One who saved us did so for a purpose. He has plans for us – plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Our prosperity is not the stuff of worldly pleasures that charm us for the moment and leave us after a season. Rather, God promises hope and a future.

Our hope is the firm confidence that our future is secured by One who loved us enough to send his Son to secure us for his eternal home. His love does not hold the past against us. So we can let it go, too.

Today rest in the sure hope God has graciously given you through his risen Son, Jesus Christ, so that you can fulfill the plan he has for your future!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me enough to claim me by the life of your Son. Help me to find joy in the blessed hope and future you have given me by his sacrifice – and keep me from living in the guilt you have removed forever.