“For thus says
the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and
perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I
know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and
not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go
and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me,
when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the
LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity;” (Jeremiah 29:10-14
NKJ)
the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and
perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I
know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and
not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go
and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me,
when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the
LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity;” (Jeremiah 29:10-14
NKJ)
Jeremiah 29: 11 has
become one of the most quoted passages of 21st century Christianity. Yet, I
wonder how many Christians have truly considered the context in which that
verse is given.
become one of the most quoted passages of 21st century Christianity. Yet, I
wonder how many Christians have truly considered the context in which that
verse is given.
The context is a
letter written by Prophet Jeremiah to the Israeli captives in Babylon (v.1-3).
It is a “the Lord says” letter (4). And what does the Lord say to the
captives in Babylon? Build yourselves houses. Get married and raise families. Let
your sons and daughters get married and raise families (5). Why? So that you
will increase and not die out (6). Pray for peace in Babylon, so that you will
have peace (7). And don’t listen to the false prophets among you who promote
dreams of fantasy (8). The Lord says,
“I have not sent them” (9).
letter written by Prophet Jeremiah to the Israeli captives in Babylon (v.1-3).
It is a “the Lord says” letter (4). And what does the Lord say to the
captives in Babylon? Build yourselves houses. Get married and raise families. Let
your sons and daughters get married and raise families (5). Why? So that you
will increase and not die out (6). Pray for peace in Babylon, so that you will
have peace (7). And don’t listen to the false prophets among you who promote
dreams of fantasy (8). The Lord says,
“I have not sent them” (9).
Don’t be quick to
get out of your circumstances. Trust me. According to my time schedule, “I
will visit you and perform my promise to you” (10). And I know what I
think about you: peace instead of evil; a future full of hope (11). Pray and I
will listen (12). “Search for me with all your heart and you will find
me” (13). And I will deliver your from your captivity (14).
get out of your circumstances. Trust me. According to my time schedule, “I
will visit you and perform my promise to you” (10). And I know what I
think about you: peace instead of evil; a future full of hope (11). Pray and I
will listen (12). “Search for me with all your heart and you will find
me” (13). And I will deliver your from your captivity (14).
Now really, don’t
you think the message is greater than, “I’ve got big plans for you”?
Yes, God has plans for us. Yet, he has a lesson in our present circumstances.
His future plans include our present situation. While we dream of the future, we
must live now, where we are! If we listen to false prophets, mesmerized by
their dreams and fantasies, we will miss what God is saying to us.
you think the message is greater than, “I’ve got big plans for you”?
Yes, God has plans for us. Yet, he has a lesson in our present circumstances.
His future plans include our present situation. While we dream of the future, we
must live now, where we are! If we listen to false prophets, mesmerized by
their dreams and fantasies, we will miss what God is saying to us.
Dear Father, thank
you for your message of peace and hope. Empower us to live in our present
circumstances peacefully with the hope of a better future. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your message of peace and hope. Empower us to live in our present
circumstances peacefully with the hope of a better future. I pray this in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
Be delivered today
by the Lord’s message,
by the Lord’s message,