Jeremiah Chapter 29

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)

Jeremiah was a prophet who served before and during the days Judah was taken into exile by the Babylonians.

The Israelites had not been following God’s commands. They were involved with idolatry and other evil things. Prophet Jeremiah tried to warn them to change their ways otherwise they would be punished by God. But they did not listen and repent. As a punishment, God allowed Babylon to conquer Judah, and the people were carried off into exile (Jeremiah 25:1-11).

But God is faithful and compassionate, and He did not forget His promise and His people, even though they were captives in Babylon. This punishment would last 70 years but God had plans to restore the people of Israel (Jeremiah 29:10). Meanwhile, they had to learn to trust God and to trust that He had a good plan for their lives even during their time in captivity.

God planned to give them a new beginning with a new purpose, which is to turn them into new people. So that, His people were to have a future and a hope. And subsequently, when they call upon His Name and go and pray to Him, God will listen to them; and when they search for God with all their heart, they will find Him (Jeremiah 29:12-13).

God knows the future, and His plans for us are good and full of hope. Nevertheless, this does not mean that we will be spared from pain, suffering, or hardship, but God will see us through to the glorious conclusion. 

In times of terrible circumstances, it may appear as though God has forgotten us. But God may be preparing us, as He did to the people of Judah, for a new beginning with a new purpose with God at the centre of our hearts.

Do you ever wonder about God’s plan for your life? How do we know the plans that God has for us?

The answer is in Jeremiah 29:13. We must seek God wholeheartedly!

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