Photo by Hadija
By Mike Chaffin
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. Jeremiah 29:11
I often think about my children and grandchildren’s future. I love them and want them to prosper and thrive. I want them to live Godly lives and be blessed. I think about them every day. God does the same for His children as well.
In this verse Jeremiah tells those exiled in Babylon to establish a life in the city in which they were taken. They are going to be there seventy years. Afterwards, they will be allowed to return to Jerusalem. False prophets told them to not unpack or do anything as they would be rescued and heading back any day. God wants us to enjoy everyday life. Sitting on pins and needles isn’t joyful. He wanted to let the obedient ones know the future.
The passage goes on to say what will happen to those false prophets and those who disobeyed God and stayed in Jerusalem. God told them to go, and they said no. God punished those who disobeyed with famine, pestilence, and death.
18 And I will pursue them with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence; and I will deliver them to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth—to be a curse, an astonishment, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, 19 because they have not heeded My words, says the Lord, which I sent to them by My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; neither would you heed, says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:18-19
The prophet Samuel said to Saul that disobedience is as bad as the sin of witchcraft and leads to God’s rejection.
Our verse today is very popular, and we hear it many times in reference to God’s desire for us. This is true only if we obey God by being transformed by the renewing of our mind so we know and obey God’s good and perfect will.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for caring for us so much. You reassure us with this verse that if we are in your will, even when you discipline us, you still love us and care for our well being and joy. Jesus said no one can steal my joy. I joy in our relationship. Help me draw closer to you every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
* There is a website that conducted a search for Bible verses. They compiled a list of the verses in order of the magnitude of hits they got in their search. Some of these verses probably qualify as ‘people’s favorites’, while others might be on the list because they are some of the most important and most teachable words of God.
