Exposition:
It is one thing having or putting down plans and another executing them. In the course of the implementation, it is very prudent to do a periodic assessment of the activities geared towards the fulfilment of your plans. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, assessment is an action or an instance of making a judgement about something. This evaluation can be done periodically. From our scripture reading, Prophet Jeremiah justifies why a sinful man should not complain about the punishment God brings upon him because of his sins. He, therefore, continues to charge the people of Israel to examine themselves so they can return to the God they had offended or sinned against.

The original plan of God for the Israelites was for them to please Him in all their ways. But on the contrary, they continued to wallow in sin, which greatly displeased God, so He eventually afflicted them and made them suffer in the hands of other nations. The Israelites knew God’s plan for them, but because they did not take a moment to assess themselves to know the extent of their relationship with God, they could not realise it when they lost touch with Him, hence the call for self-examination. Similarly, your set goals can be easily achieved when you deliberately design a periodic assessment of activities chart.

This can be done daily, that is before you go to bed, weekly, monthly and yearly. This can either be done by yourself, a friend or a mentor with whom you have shared your plans. Periodic assessment will not only help you achieve your plans successfully but also help you to develop a very good attitude towards tasks, help you to be prompt and proactive and avoid procrastination and unpleasant surprises. Like the Israelites who were advised to examine themselves so they could return to God, whenever you also periodically evaluate your activities, you will be able to weigh your progress and failures regarding your set goals for immediate upgrades or amendments.