Hope for exiled

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

He knows the plans that He has for us.  Plans to prosper us and not to harm us.  Plans to give us hope and a future.  Every time my mind is brought back to this verse tears well up in my eyes because this truth is healing and soothing to my soul.  Just to know that God has a plan for me in spite of everything I have and have not done. It doesn’t matter how much rain is presently falling sunshine and clearer skies are in my future because God has promised me hope and a future.

The verse above is popular and standing alone it gives great inspiration and strength to the weary, but even more so when examined in the context that this Word was declared.  In Jeremiah 29:4 the Lord is speaking to those who are in exile. The people of God had sinned and turned away from God and because of their refusal to repent they suffered the consequences.  They are now exiles in a foreign land, but even in this God is extending to them grace and hope.  In Jeremiah 29:5-7, He tells them to build homes and settle down.  They are to marry and increase in number.  They are told to pray for the place (city) where they now reside.  In other words they are to do life.  They are not to sit around wasting away.  Life is not over. Use the time to learn from their errors.  Reject the lies( Jeremiah 29:8-9) and seek the truth.  

Yes, they are being punished.  Sin has consequences, but even in their chastisement His love is seen.  He tells them that He will fulfill His good promise to them ( Jeremiah 29:10).  He has good plans for them.  It may not look like it now, but it’s coming.  Just knowing that gives me hope.  

It reminds me that I might be an exile in this world that steadily seems to crumble around me because of sin, but I have hope.   It reminds me to pray for my nation and this world ( my temporary residence).  I am not to waste time complaining and being twisted into knots over what people are and are not doing.  I am to be doing what God has commanded, living life to His glory.  I, along with my brothers and sisters, are to be adding to the number.  We are to plant and trust God with the harvest.  We are to hold firm, knowing that God is going to and had fulfilled His good promise to us.  His plans for us are good and they are full of hope.  The momentary afflictions of this life are not to be compared to what’s coming.   So may my eye abs affection remain on those things that are above.  In Jesus name. Amen