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“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
(Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
“Prosper” – to succeed in an enterprise or activity (especially economic), to become strong and flourishing, to thrive (Merriam-Webster online Dictionary)
What does it mean to “prosper?” Obviously, someone that is very successful and rich in business can be considered “prosperous.” But I think that God’s definition of prosperous has more to do with our hearts and spirits than our bank accounts. I do believe God wants our bank accounts to prosper or flourish because he wants us to have great resources with which to be blessed and bless other people. But I think God’s “flourishing” is much more about our relationship to him.
Psalm 1 says,
“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV)
And, similarly, John 15 also uses the illustration of a plant:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)
God wants us to be as strong and firmly rooted as a plant that brings forth much fruit in season because it is planted in the good water of Jesus. When we delight in God and his Word, meditating on it and not focusing on the “wisdom” of the ungodly, we can prosper. Proverbs 16:20 says, “Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord.” (GW)
Are you full of Holy Spirit, deeply rooted in the Living Water of Jesus, meditating on the Word of God and not distracted by things of the world? Are you prospering?
Abundant God,
Thank you that you want to bless us with all good gifts because you have known us from the beginning of time and you never change. Thank you that when we plant ourselves in the good waters of your Word, we can produce abundant fruit in season. Thank you that you father the fatherless, defend the widows, set the solitary in families, and invite those who were once bound in lives of sin and death into lives of prosperity. Remember us, O Lord, when you show favor to your people. Give us your salvation so we can see your prosperity and find joy in our happiness. Help us know the fullness of joy when we live in relationship with you, but cause our earthly prosperity to abound so we are able to bless those around us. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
“Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people.
Come to help me with your salvation
5 so that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
find joy in our people’s happiness,
and brag with the people who belong to you.” (Psalm 106:4-5 GW)
“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families;
He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;
But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.” (Psalm 68:5-6 NKJV)
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17 NKJV)