“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
This is many people's favorite verse!
But it's important to note that the Lord declared it first to a nation, not individuals like you and me. To Israel, mired in invasion and exile, these words restored hope.
And it was needed because the Israelites were hopeless. They were conquered. Defeated. But God had "plans" for Israel. They were his people. They were called to be his witnesses. From them, the Messiah would come. That was God's plan. The Savior of the world would be a descendent of King David, from the line of Judah.
God chastised his people. He let a conquering enemy -- Babylon -- discipline them for Israel's wanton and unrepentant blasphemy. He allowed them to be carted away, humiliated, from their Promised Land. And yet ... he hadn't abandoned them. He had eternal, unchangeable "plans" for them. He would give them a hope and a future. They would return to the Promised Land. The Messiah -- the hope of the world -- would come from this redeemed people.
Is this one of your favorite verse? (It's one of mine too.)
It shows God's heart. His desire is to give us a hope and a future. We may not see riches in this world, but our Lord's desire is to eternally prosper us. Like a good Father, be aware that he might have to chasten and discipline us a little first -- just like he did Israel. Frankly, we don't always grow unless and until our wayward hearts are reoriented toward heaven. But please trust that you have a God who blesses his children.
And that's a glorious and golden hope.
In Christ's Love,
a guy who wants
to be called "Israel"
(this world is my exile,
but I'm heading for
the Promised Land)
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