“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
This verse gives comfort to all Christian believers going through afflictions. Here God has given us a promise that He has a plan for our lives, and He can work through any problem to prosper us and give us hope. It is not a promise of immediate rescue but God has a plan for our lives. Believe that He will fulfill it if we surrender to Him.
These words were spoken by Jeremiah to Jews who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. In Jeremiah 28:15 —27 we can see that Jeremiah pronounced judgement upon the false prophet Hananiah . He told the people that God would break the yoke of Babylon, freeing the people to return home within two years. That sounded appealing to the people. But it was a lie and God removed Hananiah from the face of the earth. Instead Jeremiah got revelation from the Lord and told the people that they would live in Babylon for at least seventy years. So it was clear that God’s response was not to provide immediate rescue but He has a plan to prosper them in the midst of their current situation.
We all have experienced such a situation. I myself have felt like this many times. During lockdown period my son got his posting order for Field Area where families were not permitted. He had to join duty in a hurry and could not get leave either. So we have to find our own way. However God guided and helped us to settle comfortably in my own flat which was lying vacant since past three years. All glory to God.
God’s promises are there for us in such situations. This is given in verses immediately following Jeremiah 29:11, about what God proclaims through Jeremiah in
Jeremiah 29: 12”Then you will call upon me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you”
Jeremiah 29-13–“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart”.
This is also explained in Proverbs3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding “.
Romans 8:28 says that,” ….all things work together for good to those who love God ……”
So dear friends trust and submit to the Lord in every situation. He will keep us and prosper us as per His promise.
Prayer
Heavenly Father we trust and submit ourselves to you . We are proclaiming all your promises. Give us the grace to believe that you are always there to give us victory over the work of the enemy. In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Sol. Dr. Gita