Jeremiah 29:11 AMP
“‘For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.“‘
The Prophet Jeremiah released this prophecy when the southern kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem were in exile after being conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon. They were in captivity as a result of their unrepentant hearts, and in spite of being previously warned of the impending judgment, they failed to turn from their evil ways. Even though this Scripture was written to the children of Israel during their captivity, this passage reveals God’s loving heart for His covenant children. In their hardship and trouble caused by their hardness of heart and wrong choices, God was still thinking about them! He spoke words of hope and peace through His servant Jeremiah. The Lord wanted to remind His people that they were not forgotten and wanted to release hope. Through this prophetic word, He set a good vision for their future in front of them. Later in chapter 29, He promised to bless them during a tough season, which was in effect…chastisement for 70 years. In spite of their situation, God was already at work, planning their restoration. In time, they were released from bondage, and they returned back to their inherited promised land.
There are many essential principals that we can learn from this verse and apply to our lives today. You may have heard people quote this Scripture and talk about God’s good plan for your life. That is true; God has a good plan for every person’s life. First of all, God is love, and He wants all people to experience freedom through salvation found by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and savior.
2 Peter 3:9 AMP
“The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Romans 2:4 NKJV says, “…the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”
I love the way this Scripture reads in the Passion translation:
“Do you realize that all the wealth of His extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance?”
In the New Covenant, Jesus has fulfilled all the Law of Moses. Therefore, we are His covenant children and inherit the Abrahamic promises through faith in Jesus. The Apostle Paul said, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (2 Corinthians 1:20 English Standard Version). So, as we read Jeremiah 29:11, we can glean important truths and apply them to our lives. The Word of God is living and active, and it can speak personally to you as you read it; though this was originally given to the Jewish people in captivity, it applies to your life today.
Personally, I can hear the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit), speaking to me and filling my heart with faith and expectancy. As I read the treasured Scripture of Jeremiah 29:11, I also see the beautiful nature of our Awesome God.
You must know that just as God thought about Israel in their intense suffering, God is thinking about you! You may be going through a challenging time right now, but remember, God loves you so much and wants to draw you closer to Himself. He desires that you may experience the depths of intimacy found in His love.
Ephesians 3:19 AMP “And [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].”
If you are like me, I am so grateful that I wasn’t born under the Old dispensation under the law. I am happy to be a Believer and on this side of the cross! I am so thankful that Jesus paid the price for our sins so that when we blow it, like the children of Israel did, we don’t get what we deserve. We have the Holy Spirit convicting us, guiding us into all truth. When we sin, we can confess our sins to God, repent by turning away from them, and move on. Think about it…. isn’t it totally amazing that we don’t have to be judged and carried off in exile, thrown outside the camp, and pay such a high price for the rest of our lives for wrong choices? Another example: unlike the children of Israel coming out of Egypt, we don’t have to wander around the wilderness for 40 years for having a bad attitude, grumbling, complaining, and doubting God. Praise God for His mercy and grace!
The good news is when we get off track, God doesn’t have to send a prophet to us to warn us anymore. (Although He can if we refuse to listen). It doesn’t have to go that far. We have the Holy Spirit, and if we pay attention and listen to His Voice, He will lead us to repentance and into God’s best plan for our life. If we obey His Word, walk in His ways, receive His Truth, He will lead us on God’s best plan for our lives. His hand of favor and blessing will be upon us, and He will help avoid a lot of pain because of a lack of knowledge or refusing to listen and going our own way.
If you have made poor choices in your life and as a result, you are suffering, take heart and trust in God. You are not alone and never without hope. As you seek the Lord, He will heal and deliver you and work His excellent plan of restoration for your life.
Perhaps that is not where you are right now. You have followed God and are faithfully walking in His ways, serving Him. Things are going pretty good, and you are experiencing victorious Kingdom living. That is great, but don’t settle! Ask the Lord to expand His vision for your life and elevate you to higher places of influence and fruitfulness for His kingdom.
