“For I know the plans I have for you…” — Jeremiah 29:11

My Bishop, Carey Conor, asked us to choose a scripture to stand on and remind God of His promises. I chose Jeremiah 29:11 because it anchors me. It’s a declaration which reminds me that God has a plan, and my life has purpose.

He often reminds us to return to the original language — since the Old Testament was written in Hebrew with some Aramaic, and the New Testament in Greek. So in this writing, I’ll follow that same approach.

Because understanding the meaning strengthens the Scripture, deepens how we receive it, and teaches us how to stand on it.

His ways are truly better than ours.

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“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 reveals something about God’s knowing of us… and how we are called to know Him.

Going forward, I will only focus on the singular word, “know”

At first glance, the word know sounds like absolute certainty — firm, sure, unquestioned.

But once I studied it in Hebrew, the meaning expanded.

It became deeper.

Personal.

Intimate.

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In Hebrew, the word “know” is:

“Yada” — to be familiar with, to understand intimately, to be personally involved with.

This definition blessed me because it tells me that when God says, “For I know,” He isn’t speaking casually. He is saying:

• I am familiar with the plans.

• I understand the plans.

• I am intimately attached to everything I have prepared for you.

Why?

Because His knowing is rooted in covenant.

God understands us because He knew us before we ever knew ourselves.

That’s why people say:

“God knows us better than we know ourselves.”

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In Aramaic, the word “know” is:

“Yeda” — to know by experience.

This means God doesn’t just know about us — He has experienced us.

Before we ever entered a body, before we became flesh, we existed in His presence. There was already relationship. There was already history. There was already knowing.

And because of that, His knowing goes beyond language, emotion, intellect, or comprehension. Yet Scripture allows us to respond — to know Him in return.

Every time we open the Word, we are not merely reading —

we are inviting God into the text and asking:

“Father, what do You want me to glean from this?”

Because experiencing God isn’t a moment —

it’s a lifestyle led by the Holy Spirit guiding the flesh.

And honestly?

I want to know God the way He knows me.

Because to truly know God — is to finally know myself.

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There’s another layer to this knowing, and we see it play out in church community.

It’s like when someone first chooses a church — we don’t choose randomly. We choose based on familiarity: doctrine, teaching style, theology, atmosphere. Something in the worship, the preaching, or the spiritual climate resonates with our spirit.

Then, under that teaching, our knowing grows. We experience God in worship. We feel His presence during praise, because Scripture says,

“Where two or three are gathered, there I will be also.”

We tithe, we serve, we build community — not just out of obligation, but because these rhythms deepen our knowing of God.

And if we’re good stewards of what we receive in church, we bring it home. We study. We reflect. We grow. Over time, that spiritual familiarity becomes certainty — and many of us realize:

“I wasn’t just attending — I was sent.”

This is experiential knowing.

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In Greek, there are two words for “know”:

1. “Ginosko” — to learn or come to know over time.

This is covenant-based knowing — something that matures through worship, obedience, Scripture, and experience.

God has already seen our entire timeline — beginning to end — before time ever existed. So this knowing is relational and progressive. The more we learn His Word, the more we recognize His character, His voice, and His intentions.

2. “Oida” — complete, full, absolute knowing.

This meaning aligns with the way many of us originally interpret “know” — certainty and finality.

Because God is sovereign.

His power is absolute.

Nothing can withstand His might.

God does not guess.

He does not reconsider.

His Word never returns void.

What He says — He means.

What He plans — He completes.

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So yes — I am grateful.

Grateful that God knew me before He formed me. That He designed me intentionally — not accidentally.

That means:

• We cannot be mistakes.

• Our existence isn’t random.

• Our story isn’t accidental.

He knows what wounds us.

He knows where we break and where we bloom.

He knows our weaknesses, strength, capacity, and calling.

He knows how to multiply what He placed in us.

He knows how to activate what has been dormant.

And because He knows —

we can return to Him exhausted, heavy, empty —

and He restores us again.

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There is a knowing God has for His children — a parent-level knowing. Because he is our Father.

Not reactive, not emotional — but foundational.

His love is not a response; it is The source.

And the truth is simple:

No one can know you like God knows you.

And no one can love you like God does.

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So with this understanding of God’s knowing, we can finally rest in His plan.

Because someone who knows us this deeply — knows what’s best for us.

Our plans come with uncertainty.

His come with certainty.

Why walk through life not knowing —

when you can stay connected to the One who already “knows”?

Here’s a framework for how to know God:

Scripture is our blueprint.

The Holy Spirit is our access.

Worship is our invitation.

Surrender is our response.

God is Alpha and Omega.

So let me ask you:

Don’t you want to know what God already knows about you?

Don’t you want to understand the plans He already completed concerning your life?

Because every scripture you read, every verse you unpack, every moment you invite Him into your process — your knowing increases.

I invite you to pick up your Bible or open your Bible app. Turn to Jeremiah 29:11–14, and ask God:

“What plans do You have for me? What can You show me in this reading? What can I learn from You? What can I learn about myself?”

Then, read those few lines slowly, and take note of how God speaks to you — what is revealed. God wants to know you, but you have to invite Him in.

Will you pick up your Bible and get to know Him for yourself?