There are three verses that when connected create what I call a protective bubble –
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
What this verse doesn’t say is, I’m going to tell you the plans I have for you. God has a plan for each of us but unlike He did for Noah, He doesn’t tell most of us. Imagine if God did. What would be your first impulse? To tell someone? To argue with Him? To try to change His mind? I’m thinking all three.
Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.
It doesn’t say “no weapon will be formed against me or no tongue will ever accuse me”. We can be certain that both weapons and words will attack at some time in life. Shit happens. The promise is that neither will prosper. It’s not easy to remember when you’re in the middle of it; beginning, middle or end – it doesn’t matter where you are in “my world is falling apart” mode. It’s not easy to grasp. However, once grasped this promise defines contentment.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
My old theology would have taken these three verses to mean that nothing bad will ever happen, life will be one big party – I will get whatever I want – it’s all good! That’s bad theology!
The protective bubble is this: God has plans for me, I need to trust Him. Bad things are going to happen. Weapons and accusations will cross my path, shit will most definitely happen – but it won’t last. God will redeem it all and work it out for my good.
On a more personal scale, this bubble of protections says this: You can’t screw up my life! You can interrupt it, make it a bit uncomfortable but in the end if I remain true to this belief it’s all going to work out in my favor.
For anyone who has experienced abuse in their life this is an inconceivable concept. I think that even in the worst of cases this bubble of protection holds true. Because of God’s great love, He will not let the abuser prosper; He will weave every experience into the tapestry that is your life and will at the end make it all good. He still has plans for you. It isn’t out of His neglect that abuse happens, it’s out of His love that He redeems it.
Past, present and future, it’s all covered. It’s a guarantee for those called according to His purpose – oh crap, what’s His purpose? Oh yes I remember, to love the Lord my God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all your strength and to love my neighbor as myself.
It’s a lovely bubble!