“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
God’s promises are true. And it’s important to remember that this was the promise God made through His prophet Jeremiah to the remnant of His people just before the Babylonian siege and ultimate destruction of Israel. The temple of God was destroyed, most of the inhabitants of Israel were slaughtered, and some were taken captive into Babylon as slaves.
And God, with all this destruction on the horizon, made this promise of a good plan and a prosperous and hope-filled future.
Hard times. Hurtful times. Exile. Famine. Loss. Disease. Affliction. All the stuff comes against ALL of us who live in this fallen world.
And still God kept His promise. He kept His promise during the siege. In captivity. And after the remnant returned out of exile to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, God’s temple, and their homes.
We who belong to Jesus are not exempt from suffering. But His plans for us are good.
God has a plan to care for us and see us through the flood and the fire. His good plan is maybe to set us apart for awhile in what might feel like an exile.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Psalms 107:1 NIV
Wherever He leads – it is good to follow. It might feel like a wilderness, but it most likely is His place of protection.
We who belong to Jesus love this promise. We quote it. We write it on graduation cards. We post it on social media. We, of the insta-pot society, tend to think the promise is instantaneous. Once we read the words or say them out loud, pray them over someone and write them as a blessing- the promise is fulfilled.
And perhaps, in a sense that is true. A promise fulfilled in the future. I promise yet to be recognized. A guarantee of ultimate good. Yes, indeed. This is a true promise of God to His people.
And we have this example written and archived for us in the true history of these ancient people. God fulfilled this very promise. During and after the exile of His remnant Jewish people to Babylon.
How often do we stop and ponder the context?
How often do we ponder the true meaning of this promise?
How often do we surrender our lives to the full authority of His Word and His Lordship?
““I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 NIV
A promise of Jesus Christ.
For He is my Shepherd and I am His sheep. God is Almighty and I am not. Jesus is Lord and I am His servant. God is Creator – The Potter – and I am clay in His hands.
I have not yet learned all I need to learn. I am learning what it means to surrender all. I am learning the true meaning of being content in ALL circumstances. I am learning to keep my eyes on Jesus. For only then do I recognize Who He is and who I am not.
How about you?
Eyes on Jesus… you’re shining!
~ Lisa
