“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. Then you will call on me and come and PRAY TO ME, and I will LISTEN to you. You will seek me and FIND ME when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:11-13)
We see an example of this working in the life of Paul, a former blasphemer and a violent persecutor of Christians, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a BLASPHEMER and a PERSECUTOR and a VIOLENT AGGRESSOR. Yet I WAS SHOWN MERCY because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the GRACE of our Lord was MORE THAN ABUNDANT, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I AM THE WORST OF THEM. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me AS THE WORST, Jesus Christ might DEMONSTRATE HIS PERFECT PATIENCE AS AN EXAMPLE for those who WOULD BELIEVE IN HIM for eternal life.” (1 Tim. 1:12-16)
SINCE HE FORGAVE PAUL HE WILL CERTAINLY FORGIVE US…
-Bill Stockham