Hello everyone, happy Sunday!!
I hope you are super well, and have had a great week!
Today, we are getting into a very popular and well-known verse, Jeremiah 29:11. I felt led to talk about and study this verse, so I pray that what is written here blesses you and helps you :)
THE VERSE: “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, a great source of comfort, right? It is repeated constantly due to its words. God says in this verse, “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.” It is extremely reassuring to know that life is truly out of our control, especially as someone who is always worried they’ll mess up God’s plan for them. Because when we realise we are simply not powerful enough to mess up God’s plans for us, we know that our situation’s aren’t irrecuperable. For those who may struggle with anxiety, sadness, or even pride, this verse is a great way to get out of your own head and back in touch with what God says- the truth.
Despite the indisputable peace this verse brings to many, many of us do not know the context behind the verse. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to get the full picture of this verse.
The circumstances surrounding the chapter of Jeremiah are similar to Daniel. In the 13th year of the reign of Josiah, throughout Jehoiakim’s reign, and ‘down to the 5th month of the 11th year of Zedekiah’s reign,’ Jeremiah is given this word from God. In the chapters preceding chapter 29, we get a real sense of how exactly God is feeling about the behaviour of His people. In chapter 1, God begins to reveal to Jeremiah what He wants him to tell His people– that He will allow them to be overcome by enemies from the North (Babylon). God first dispels any issue Jeremiah’s age could cause in relation to his capability. Though I believe this was comforting, God also gets across the point that He is not playing around and is watching to ensure His Word is carried out. The following chapters (2-6) then go into the detail of how God is feeling post-betrayal of His bride. The metaphors used here are piercing and calls for the complete removal of all the idols they are worshipping, clarifying to them that there is a large difference between God and idols. Jeremiah contains a lot of really interesting points to meditate on, such as the idea of cheating on God, and a knowledge gap that seems to create a disconnect between Him and His people. However, what I wanted to majorly point out is that God states clearly what is to happen to the people of Judah. That they will be overcome by their enemy and become exiles. Yet this is the same book that contains this comforting verse? It is, and the people of Judah indeed become exiles in a foreign land. This is something I didn’t even know happened in Jeremiah to be completely honest, but it is so important to be aware of because it changes what you reflect and think about when you hear this verse. Instead of thinking that only good things can happen to those who love God, whatever happens to God’s people will work out in their favour and will be a part of the plans God has to prosper us and not harm us.
So in reality, when we meditate on this verse, we should be thinking about what was happening to the people God addressed this word to. We will then realise that God saying that the plans He has for us are to prosper us, doesn’t mean we will never face hardship. Do remember, however, how it is God’s people ended up with this outcome, which is through sin. There are self-inflicted situations, and things that happen to us or around us. In this case, God allowed His people to feel the effects of their idol worship. Other times, you may be questioning how God could allow us to experience a certain period of pain or loss. Despite it all, Jeremiah 29:11 is our light, not just at the end of the tunnel, but through it all.
Something new, you may not have considered, to chew on when you hear Jeremiah 29:11.
Thank you for reading!! As always, I appreciate you and thank God for your life. I pray that you will think deeply about this verse going forward, and keep it in mind. Remember, good or bad, there is a consequence of every decision we make.
I love you with the love of God. Comments, critiques and everything between are always welcome.
Have a great week :)
Love,
Rachel
xoxo
(SOTW- 'My Help'- Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir)