Many of us know Jer. 29.11. I have a mug on my desk imprinted with: “I know the plans that I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope, and a future.” (NIV)
Sometimes I claim this promise like it’s a magic charm, meant to ward off any bad days, or personal difficulty. But that’s not the message of this scripture. Take a minute and read Jer. 29.1-14 in context. God wrote this word through the prophet Jeremiah when:
- His people in exile and captivity.
- They had lost their homes.
- They had lost their land, families and property.
- They wanted to go home, and God said to stay where they were.
- God said they wouldn’t be going home for 70 years.
God told the Israelites to plant gardens, build families, and work for the good of their captors, and their nation. He said he was in control, even though they weren’t. He wasn’t promising them a panacea. He said “I am here with you, in captivity, where I lead you. Now, you have to learn to follow me here.”
Then Jeremiah wrote the promise that we like to quote. God’s promise, of verse 11, revolved around this condition:
You will seek for me, and find me,
When you search for me with all your heart.
I will reveal myself to you
I will bring you home.
[Tweet “God’s promises are eternal and unchanging, but we have to allow God to change our hearts, and we have to choose to seek him above and before anything else in our lives”] before we get to enjoy the fruit of those promises.
What are some of the blessings you enjoy? What are some of your trials, troubles and turmoil? What would it look like if you praise and thank God for all of these elements in your life, to praise him for who he is instead of what you want to receive? How would your life change if you set your heart to seek him, and obey him . . . right where you are?
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