Jeremiah 29:11. Such a great verse to read out of context.
“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.”
Sometimes we forget to read the surrounding circumstances that go along with our favourite verses. This has to be one of the most over looked chapter.
You see God was giving this promise to His people. But the promise was given to them while they were living in a foreign land, under a ruler that was not their own. They had been exiled from their land. God tells them in chapter 29 to not dwindle and let their lives slip by because they were in a place they did not want to be. Instead he tells them to plant, to build, to marry, to bear children.
Jeremiah 29:5-7 NLT
““Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.””
To get on with life. That He will rescue them at the right time (70 years later).
Jeremiah 29:10
“This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.”
There are times in our lives where we quote verse 11, and wonder why God is not doing as we want and wish. Why the plans do not seem good or what we want. But we need to remember to make the best of the situations we are in. To do good where we are. And when the time is right and the plans that God has for us seem to unfold, all of our past circumstances can start to fill in this puzzle called life. And we can see that all along God had a plan. He had reasons for things. He is able to use the events in our lives that sin tainted to give new life to us and to others. We are able to see that He took us down certain paths, and placed various events in our timeline for a reason. And then
Jeremiah 29:11, 13-14 NLT
“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.
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.””
God has got this! Don’t fear the process and your current place. He is always in control, so “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD.”