Thus Says the Lord - Thoughts on Jeremiah 29:11
by Teresa (1,508)
Freelance writer/Speaker
“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 passage of Scripture is a great source of encouragement. It can carry us through hard times and it can comfort us when we are feeling lonely. In my experience, next to John 3:16, it is often the most quoted verse by Christians.
I have also heard it quoted by Christians who are in a willful state of disobedience, not giving too much thought toward change. After all, God is love and we do have “freedom in Christ”.
It seems a common mistake among Believers, my self included, to quote a verse without considering the entire context of the passage.
This particular verse is one I was famous for quoting early on in my faith, using it to encourage non-believers – the problem was, I wasn’t giving the entire message. It is important to remember that the book of Jeremiah is a series of messages and judgements from God to his people through the prophet Jeremiah. For many years prior to their captivity in Babylon, God gave them warnings to turn from sin and unrepentant hearts. He warned them that he would allow them to be taken captive and be oppressed by their enemies in order to bring them to their senses and back to their heavenly Father.
Reading Jeremiah chapter 29 this morning reminds me of this, and some important details and stipulations attached to verse 11. Let’s read a portion of it together.
“For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 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. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity…” Jer. 29:10-14a
There are times when our lives are a mess; we are hurting emotionally, physically, and financially as a direct result of bad choices and deliberate sinful behavior. We call ourselves believers, yet we ignore God’s instruction for our lives. We pray for things that are directly out of God’s will – and then we ask that famous question-- why me.
We forget that God’s commandments are not designed to keep us from having fun, they are designed to protect us – think for a moment about the consequences of sin; Unplanned pregnancy, accidents due to drunk driving; divorce due to selfish behavior, abuse, or adultery – the list goes on – and on. Each of us can fill in the blank.
This brings me back to verse 11.
When God says his thoughts and plans are for good and not evil, he is referring to their time in captivity. It’s as if he is answering their “why me” questions. Their captivity was the consequence for their sin – just as ours is today. Yet, God in his mercy provides escape from consequence, after a time, so that its purpose is fulfilled, which is to bring us back to him with a heart of repentance.
In this context, God’s plan for our lives is that we seek him with our whole heart, so that we may find him and walk according to his will – in this, we find the good plan and the hope that God has for us, which is freedom from the bondage of sin – our individual prisons that hold us captive.
I pray for those of us who claim to be Christians to spend time reading his word and understanding God’s character. Perhaps the question will change to “why not me?” Freedom will be ours much sooner when we evaluate our walk with God and allow him to reveal hidden and unknown sin, but more importantly, it will cause our hearts to turn away from willful disobedience.
“For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens, who is God; who formed the earth and made it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘seek Me in vain’; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right…Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall now and every tongue take an oath.” Isaiah 45:18-19, 22-23
Article submitted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 & read 970 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by (244 days 8 hours ago.)
Very refreshing, honest and true.BTW (I would rate this a terrific article- the rating below (1-5 does not say if 1 is highest or lowest and I don't want to assume!!) If 5 is high- that is where I would rate! Nice job.
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» left by Teresa (1,508)
Hi Michelle, thank you for commenting. 5 would be the best rating :-)
And thanks for joining as a writer. I am looking forward to reading some of your wonderful insights here. Lord bless you always! Teresa
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» left by Lance Ponder(120)(215 days 9 hours ago.)
This post reminds of James 1:2-3. ;-)Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa (1,508)
hhmm, I can't imagine why :-) I am going to order a copy of your James study. Can I do that through your xanga site?
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» left by Lance Ponder(120)
Indirectly, yes. There's a link there or on my bio page here to the amazon order page. Or you can send me a check or paypal me $12 and I'll send you an autographed copy without any shipping fee. I'd like to offer for less, but trying to cover cost of print and ship and help fund giving away copies to those who can't pay. If you want to order through me, just shoot me an email.
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» left by Lance Ponder(120)
When I read the verse and your first paragraph, a red alert went off in my head. I expected to hear about "prosperity gospel," and in a sense you did speak about it, but you spoke correctly - unlike the many whom you mentioned that take this passage out of context. Good job.Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa (207 days 11 hours ago.)
Hi Lance,
I appreciate the comment. I purposely titled this devotional so that it would reach those who have a misunderstanding of how prayer works because of the abuse of the name it and claim type teaching that is out there. I pray it has encouraged some in the right direction. When I get home, I will send you and email and a check. I would love to have a copy of the study. Have a blesssed day!
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