Good Morning “Those God Has Prosperous Plans For”. Today we are Jeremiah 29.
“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 NIV
Next to John 3:16, Jeremiah 29:11 is probably one of the most quoted, and probably miss-quoted verses of all time.
We love it! Gods got a plan for us! It’s a plan to make us rich, and no harm will come to us - it’s a plan for a hope and a future! Yeah!
Sounds silly when I actually say it doesn’t it. Yet, I do believe some think that’s what the verse means… and that it applies that way to everyone. Satan has an incredible way of twisting The Word of God in a way that leads disappointment and lost trust in The Lord when it doesn’t go that way. Gods always speaking Kingdom talk, with eternal perspective. You know… things that matter (Matthew 6:19-21). In our flesh, our minds often go to “rich and famous”.
First let’s acknowledge the rest of the chapter, and the book of Jeremiah. Judah ignored and even despised repeated attempts by God to get their attention. They rejected Him and His Word and continued to embrace their sin and rebellion. He told them over and over what was going to happen - always leaving room for repentance and restoration. They chose their judgment. Now… in the midst of that promised judgment, God instructs them to live out their lives. In the context of all of this He reminds the exiles of Judah that His goal has always been their restoration. It’s in THAT context we get Jeremiah 29:11.
Now, read the rest. His promise was NOT and is NOT for EVERYONE. It is NOT for the hard hearted rotten figs. Thats easy to see through the rest of the chapter.
So why do we memorize and recite that verse like it means something to us. Well, because maybe it does. Remember, God and His Character are immutable (He never changes) (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17). Which means… He deals with His Children in the same way (John 1:12).
If we “believe” Jesus is who He said He is, and went to The Cross, and satisfied the payment required for our sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23) we will be saved (John 3:16).
Remember TRUE belief is proven, demonstrated with action. That action is repentance (turning away from sin and towards God). THAT’S what the 70 years of exile was all about for Judah. Repentance is the demonstration of our love and belief too! Apart from that… well… the promises of Jeremiah 29:11 are not ours to claim.
Love you all! Dig in!
“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 NIV
Next to John 3:16, Jeremiah 29:11 is probably one of the most quoted, and probably miss-quoted verses of all time.
We love it! Gods got a plan for us! It’s a plan to make us rich, and no harm will come to us - it’s a plan for a hope and a future! Yeah!
Sounds silly when I actually say it doesn’t it. Yet, I do believe some think that’s what the verse means… and that it applies that way to everyone. Satan has an incredible way of twisting The Word of God in a way that leads disappointment and lost trust in The Lord when it doesn’t go that way. Gods always speaking Kingdom talk, with eternal perspective. You know… things that matter (Matthew 6:19-21). In our flesh, our minds often go to “rich and famous”.
First let’s acknowledge the rest of the chapter, and the book of Jeremiah. Judah ignored and even despised repeated attempts by God to get their attention. They rejected Him and His Word and continued to embrace their sin and rebellion. He told them over and over what was going to happen - always leaving room for repentance and restoration. They chose their judgment. Now… in the midst of that promised judgment, God instructs them to live out their lives. In the context of all of this He reminds the exiles of Judah that His goal has always been their restoration. It’s in THAT context we get Jeremiah 29:11.
Now, read the rest. His promise was NOT and is NOT for EVERYONE. It is NOT for the hard hearted rotten figs. Thats easy to see through the rest of the chapter.
So why do we memorize and recite that verse like it means something to us. Well, because maybe it does. Remember, God and His Character are immutable (He never changes) (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17). Which means… He deals with His Children in the same way (John 1:12).
If we “believe” Jesus is who He said He is, and went to The Cross, and satisfied the payment required for our sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23) we will be saved (John 3:16).
Remember TRUE belief is proven, demonstrated with action. That action is repentance (turning away from sin and towards God). THAT’S what the 70 years of exile was all about for Judah. Repentance is the demonstration of our love and belief too! Apart from that… well… the promises of Jeremiah 29:11 are not ours to claim.
Love you all! Dig in!
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