GOD’S PLANS FOR US

Jeremiah 29:11-13 New Living Translation 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

            In 586 BC Babylon conquered Judah. At that time the Jewish elders, priests, prophets and all the people were taken into exile; stripped from their homes. For all they knew this was a forever exile from this homeland. They had not honored God with their lives and this was the result.

            The verses above are part of a letter that the Prophet Jeremiah, who wrote from his home in Jerusalem, sent to those exiled to Babylon. This portion of the letter was meant to give the people hope. The Lord told them they would be under Babylonian rule for 70 years at which time they would be allowed to return home to Judah.  After those 70 years the Lord would come to them and fulfill the promises he had made to them.  Although the Jewish people had been disobedient to the Lord, nothing can really break the fellowship they had with God.  They were in a strange land with sorrow, persecution and various physical maladies, yet nothing separated them from the spirit of God. 

            The Lord of the Heavenly Armies said thru Jeremiah that he would listen when they prayed and allow himself to be found by those who seek him. Their future was filled with hope in spite of their present situation, because though they were disobedient, God never went anywhere. He remained on his throne, where he had always been.

            This should speak to our hearts today as well. Should we ever find ourselves in exile due to our own indulgences or sinful behavior, we need to know that while God doesn’t wink at our indiscretions, he does show us mercy and grace when we ask for it. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.