Genesis 50:19-20 NIV
“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
INSIGHT
–Joseph went through a lot of challenges as a young man auchestrated by his brothers. Joseph recognizes that even though they acted with ill intent, God used those actions for the good. This is indeed was a gracious response. Despite his brothers’ intention to harm him, Joseph chooses forgiveness and reassures them that he will not seek revenge but the Lord had a good plan and greater purpose for his life, family and the nations of Egypt, Israel and surrounding nations.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus we thank You for the gift of life, gift of protection, gift of provision and gift of eternal life. Thank You for the peace that You have released unto us, not as the world gives but as You give dear Lord Jesus. May You forgive us all our sins and iniquities and wash us with Your precious blood. May You deliver us from every sin and evil and sanctify us afresh in the body, soul and spirit. We declare that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. We pray that the devil is defeated in our lives, families and nation as we condemn every tongue that has risen against us in judgement. We declare that we are vindicated by the Lord and that peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition is our heritage. Whatever the devil has planned for our destruction shall work to our good and prosperity. We are more than conquerors in You Christ Jesus. We honor You Lord and give You praise, and it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Isaiah 54:17
Exodus 14:13-14 NIV
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
INSIGHT
–The Lord promised the Israelites deliverance from captivity in Egypt. Even though they were dreadful and anxious, the Lord comforted them and delivered them. God offered them protection on every side as they moved out of Egypt. The angel of God who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them and the pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. The Lord encouraged the Israelites through his servant Moses that they should not be afraid but stand firm in God, for they will never see the Egyptians again. Sometimes we undergo challenging moments, and our souls are down cast due to opposition by evil men and tormenting forces. As Moses reassures the people that the Lord will fight for them, God is inviting us to trust in Him for He has good plans for us.
PRAYER
We sing of Your great love forever dear Lord Jesus, with our mouths we will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. We declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You have established Your faithfulness in heaven and on earth. Lord You proclaimed that You have made a covenant with Your chosen one, and swore to David Your servant that You will establish his line forever and make his throne firm through all generations. Dear Lord Jesus may You establish us in Your name forever and work wonders in our lineages. We are kings and priests to You dear Lord and we shall indeed rule on the earth, may You establish us Abba Father according to Your promise to David Your servant. We shall be still and know that You are God, may You fight for us every battle. We pray for a divine ambush of our adversaries and welcome You Lord, the commander of the Heavenly Hosts to fight for us in all areas of our lives. We shall no longer see those who pursue us and seek our delay and downfall in Jesus mighty name. Dear Lord Jesus the heavens praise Your wonders Lord and Your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones, and it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 89:1-52
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For 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.”
INSIGHT
–In the frequency of quoting this verse is a demonstration of the hope that it elicits into our hearts. In it’s context, Jeremiah writes a letter to the exiles in Babylon in 597 B.C dealing with the false prophet Shemaiah who proclaimed their speedy return. Jeremiah encourages the people to look to God and trust in Him despite their current situation. Sometimes the world forces us to focus on our challenges and forget the blessings and promises that the Lord has bestowed upon us. Other times we consider peoples opinion’s of us and forget what the Lord thinks about us. God has good plans for us, plans of prosperity and progression. He sees us as righteous in Christ and He thinks about us with nothing but unconditional and unlimited love.
PRAYER
Lord You are Good and Your love endures forever. May You hear our prayers and listen to our cry for mercy. In Your faithfulness and righteousness come to our relief. Loving Jesus do not bring Your servants to judgment, for no one living is righteous before You, but in You alone do we find favor. May You answer us quickly Lord, our spirits fail. Do not hide Your face from us or we will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring us word of Your unfailing love, for we put our trust in You loving Jesus. May You show us the way we should go, for to You we entrust our lives. May You rescue us from our enemies Lord, for we hide ourselves in You. May You teach us to do Your will, for You are our God. May Your good Spirit lead us on level ground for Your name’s sake, Lord. May You preserve our lives in Your righteousness and bring us out of trouble. In Your unfailing love, silence our enemies, destroy all our foes, for we are Your servants. Jesus You are our redeemer and restorer of our souls, thank You for dying and resurrecting for our salvation. Thank You for loving us and choosing us. Thank You for the plans that You have for our lives, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. May You fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope by Your power Holy Spirit. Amen
Further reading: Romans 15:13, Psalms 143:1-12
Romans 8:28-30 NKJV
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
INSIGHT
–Apostle Paul speaks of God’s good plans for us even before our conception into the foreseeable and unforeseeable future. Glorified in this text is a prophetic perfect that speaks of a future event as if it were already done because it is certain that God will do it for those who trust in Him. God foreknew the fact that He would bring us to His saving grace as we inculcate a personal relationship with Him. Through this enduring relationship, God predestined us to be like Christ conforming us to His image, so that His good purposes may be perfected in us through His grace.
PRAYER
Abba Father our Father, our God, our Friend, our Papa, we love You. Thank You for You loved us first. Thank You for loving us and sacrificing Your only Beloved Son for our redemption. Thank You for Your mercies that are new each morning. Thank You for You foreknew us, predestined us, justified us and glorified us according to Your great mercy and love. Thank You for You delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of Your beloved Son in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins. Thank You for dying on the cross and one act of righteousness has led to the justification and life for all men. Thank You for the gift of salvation, may You forgive us all our iniquities and teach us to follow You. May You grant all people within our families, this nation and the entire world with this precious gift, that all men will know You dear Jesus and acknowledge that You are the Son of God who died and lives forever, and we shall live together with You Lord Jesus. Precious Holy Spirit we need You, we need Your mercy, we need Your grace, may You intercede for us with groaning that cannot be uttered. We honor You and give You praise, and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray, amen
Further reading: Colossians 1:13-14, Romans 5:18
John 10:9-11 NKJV
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
INSIGHT
–The Lord is Good and He invites us to taste and see that indeed He is Good (Psalm 34:8). God’s attributes demonstrate His goodness as the Door who offers us salvation for our souls. God is the Good Shepherd who offers His life for His sheep, and we find pasture in Him. Even though the adversary comes to kill, steal and destroy, God offers us abundant and eternal life.
SUMMARY
The theme good plans is a symbol of hope that God thinks and delivers to us. God’s plans are perfect for our well-being despite sometimes when we undergo confusing or difficult times. Joseph went through a difficult journey as his brothers orchestrated his death but the Lord saved him. He said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:19-20). God’s plans are for our ultimate good, not just temporary relief. Trusting God’s timing and purposes requires faith and obedience, especially when the path is unclear. Moses encouraged the Israelites to stand firm and they will see the deliverance God will deliver to them, and the Egyptians they were seeing they would never see them again for the Lord was fighting for them (Exodus 14:13-14). God promises us that He has good plans for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God foreknew us, predestined us, justified us and glorified us according to His great purposes as every thing works together for our good for we love God (Romans 8:28-30).
PRAYER
We love You dear Lord, thank You for loving us first. May You forgive us for every sin and iniquity that we have committed knowingly and unknowingly, and cleanse us with Your precious blood. Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for the blessings that You have bestowed upon our lives. Thank You for this far that You have brought us and the far that You are taking us. Thank You for the good plans that You have for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. May You please grant us the strength to grace to overcome challenges for You are fighting for us. God You are Almighty and not just Mighty. You are able to deliver us from every situation. Help us precious Holy Spirit to never lose hope in Your plan for our salvation. May You help us to take steps each day that will bring us closer to You and closer to salvation. May You break every chain and addiction precious Savior. May You increase our greatness Lord and comfort us on every side. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 71:21-22, Psalm 23:6