Jeremiah 29:11. Known by most people and usually quoted just as, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” That was on the front of the journal I had out and started thinking about the word hope to write about today. Then I opened my Bible to see if that matched the version I had and noticed a missing phrase in the middle of the verse. The verse in the NIV actually reads like this:

“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.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why is it that the middle phrase often gets deleted when the verse is being referenced? For many people just knowing God has a plan for them is just enough comfort to get them through whatever situation they are facing. That’s understandable since we mess up often and know God is still in control of the future.

When we take out, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you” we are missing a vital piece of how we could be living. God doesn’t just have a future for us. His plan for us is that we prosper. Webster’s 1828 dictionary lists these words in the definition of prosper: to favor; to succeed; to grow; to increase; to thrive; to make gain. This does not necessarily apply to money. It applies to all areas of our lives including peace, faith, trust in God, and relationships. His plan for us is that we have the absolute best in the future He has for us. We can survive by knowing and trusting He does have a plan. How much more can we thrive if we remind ourselves that His plan is for us to prosper!