Jer. 29:10-14 -- A quick look

Hey guys, quick thought about a well-known verse and its context.

Today I was reading Jeremiah 29, home of the famous verse 11 ("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.")

To my surprise, I had not read that verse in its context before (or at least did not recall doing so). It’s pretty amazing on its own and even better when you read what’s around it. Ultimately, the passage (especially verses 10 through 14) is about persistence and faith that God has a perfect master plan, even if we don’t see it. By the way, this is from a letter written by Jeremiah to those who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Check it out:

10 This is what the LORD says: "You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 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. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you," says the LORD. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."
-Jer. 29:10-14, NLT

To me, the cool part of this passage is in verses 12 and 13, where God tells us that when we pray, He listens. And if we look for him (wholeheartedly, of course), we WILL find Him. Sometimes we might feel like He is distant or that we are not able to reach God, but this passage says He’s right there.

This concept can be applied to anything or any situation we encounter. It’s pretty cool that we have a God that listens to us and looks out for us.

Hope to see you tonight at Sold Out.

-Lee