“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. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. – Jeremiah 29: 11-13

Jeremiah 29: 11 is arguably the most quoted verse in the entire bible (and my favorite!).

And when we look at the broader context, it becomes all the more clear why it’s such a fantastic verse:

Because of their refusal to obey God’s law, the Israelites were uprooted from the land their ancestors were promised.

The Lord announced to the Israelites through the prophet Jeremiah that they would be exiled to Babylon to be ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar for seventy years.

And this message was so terrifying, that the people went into a complete frenzy.

A mob threatened to kill Jeremiah out of fear, and false prophets tried to calm them by telling them that God was going to break the yoke of oppression inflicted by King Nebuchadnezzar in two years.

But Jeremiah assured them that God’s plan was not to destroy them for their disobedience but to correct their behavior and bring them back into true communion with Him

What they didn’t realize was that God is only capable of love.

If we veer to the left or to the right, His love will always direct our steps back to our designated land of promise.

In our lives, God may take us through trials of all sorts, but we can rest assured that His ultimate desire is to give us hope and a beautiful future.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, thank you for your everlasting grace and mercy. And thank you for loving me enough to correct me. In my times of trouble, please send your Holy Spirit to be a comfort to my soul, and remind me that your plans for me are always for good and never for evil. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.