God’s Thoughts toward Us

Sometimes people will ask me to sign their Bibles. And sometimes they will ask me to include my favorite verse. That can be difficult, because I have a lot of favorites. What I choose to write down typically depends on what I’m experiencing at the time.

If I’m going through a stressful situation, I might write down Philippians 4:6–7, which says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Or, maybe I’ve been concerned about some current events in our world, and Jesus’ words in John 14:1–2 will come to mind: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

But if I had to choose a favorite, it would be Jeremiah 29:11: " ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ says the Lord, ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.’ "

Why do I like that verse? Because that verse says God is in control of my life. That verse says God thinks about me. If it said, " ‘I know the single thought I once had for you, for a millisecond,’ " I would be happy with that. But it says, " ‘I know the thoughts that I think toward you. . . .’ " It isn’t just a single thought; it’s many thoughts—and they are constant. They are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give us a future and a hope.