7/5/25

Jeremiah 29:11 NASB95 — ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

God sent me to a well-known verse today for the devotion. This verse is quoted often it is used to encourage and rightfully so. However, it is often used out of context. We must remember that this verse was written to people in exile. The reason they were sent into exile was because of their sin. They refused to follow the words of the Lord. They disobeyed and were given warnings and yet they disobeyed again. So they were sent into exile. It was in their exile, their punishment for their sin that they received this word. So, yes, it is an encouraging word, but we must not miss what they needed to do to receive this encouragement. Jeremiah 29:7 NASB95 ‘Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’

They had to seek the good of the cities where they had been sent. That means they had to show them a Godly example. They had to live in obedience to God. Marry other Jews and continue all that He had commanded them. Those things which they had turned their backs on while in the promised land. They needed to pray to the Lord for those in the city they were in. Then the Lord says, at the end of your appointed punishment then I will do as our verse says.

God will fulfill His plans.

Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

However, you must Jeremiah 29:13 NASB95 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Many people want to take the 29:11 verse out of context and say this is what God will do for you. How true that is......... If we seek Him and live according to His will. Otherwise, the plan is to bless those who are saved in eternity but live in exile until then.

For those who are lost and have never called and received Jesus, the plan you are telling God that you want by your refusal, is eternal exile.

Unfortunately, He will grant you your plans.

Don't be mistaken. He desires to give you a future of hope, but because of our sins, exile will happen now. Especially for those who know Him but refuse to obey Him.

Know Him and Obey Him then live in His hope.

Love Bro. Scott