As His child, God has plans to prosper you, to give you hope and a future. That word prosper is Shalom - God's perfect shalom. Shalom, we usually translate as peace. It literally means, "peace, safety, prosperity, well-being; wholeness." That's God's plan for you.
Not to get too side tracked by this word, but here is a more complete list of words for the shalom that God doesn't just desire to give you, but plans to give you!
Benefit and Blessing,
Completeness and Contentment,
Favor, Friends and Friendly Relations,
Good Health, Goodwill,
Kindness, Order, and Prosperity,
Safety and Security
Satisfaction, Soundness,
Success and Triumph,
Wellness, Well-Being, and Wholeness.
By the way that word "plan" also means to account towards - God is saying "I've already accounted my shalom toward you before you even experience it!"
Remember last week when we looked at how God sees your future and brings you word of how awesome it's going to be?!? It has already happened in God's reality. God has already seen it, because God has already written your new history before you even walk it out! If you get anything besides God's perfect shalom, if you get anything less than all those things I just listed for you, it's as though you have to actually change God's plan for your life. If you settle for less than God's best, you have to actually rewrite what he's already mapped out for you!
I didn't say that it will happen instantely - and it usually doesn't happen without a challenge to your faith. When Abraham was faced in one hand with God's promise for Isaac, and in the other hand wood for the sacrificial fire, to offer up Isaac, he held fast to God's promise. He fought the good fight of faith.
So keep fighting that good fight of faith!
[Photo by Randy OHC, flickr's Creative Commons]
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