Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse often printed on coffee mugs, tee shirts and wall plaques. We all want to hold on to the promise of prosperity and claim all the good things God has in store. However, this promise from God wasn’t originally for “us” but was given to the Jewish people who were being held in captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. In historical context, Jerusalem had been conquered by the Babylonians and many of the Jewish people were taken from their country and exiled in Babylon…held as prisoners of war, slaves. The reason this occurred (according to Scripture) is because they rebelled against God. They were disobedient and worshipped other gods. After repeated warnings through God’s prophets and opportunities to repent, the people did not change but continued in their evil ways and practices. Being conquered is evidently a big attention getter! They cried out to God, but God wasn’t going to fix it immediately. In fact, He told them they would be exiled for 70 years. But He promised that their captivity would come to an end, and He would bring them home. These words gave them hope and a future!

Scriptures – Jeremiah 29:1, 10-11, 12-14; 2 Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29; Matthew 16:24; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Romans 8:28 

Verses – “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.” Je 29:11

Thought – If taken out of context, this verse could be interpreted as a promise for prosperity, health, and great success for God’s people. Living in the USA we have many blessings not realized in other areas of the world. But what does this verse mean for the Christian worker earning $2 a week in a Third World country, or the Godly Ukraine mother now living in a refugee tent having lost her home and children? Is the promise the same for those struggling in the inner city and for the wealthiest families living in the suburbs? If the promise isn’t true everywhere, it isn’t true anywhere. If we hold to this as a stand-alone promise, what happens when problems arise, health fails, a job is lost, a loved one dies? Does this mean God isn’t trustworthy? God’s purpose isn’t to serve us. He sent His son to save us, and we are blessed, but God doesn’t exist to do our bidding. God has a plan and purpose for each life, and we are to bring glory to him by the way we live. God never promised that life would be easy or fair. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:12 says that persecution is a certainty if you want to live a Godly life. God made a promise to the captives that would be fulfilled in the future, but for the here and now, it gave them hope. He was looking out for them, better days were ahead, He would bring them home. It’s the same for us today. Our present circumstances may not be what we wanted or planned, but with God there is always hope. When we seek God with all our heart, we will find him (reference Jeremiah 29:12-14).

Questions – Does living in a land of abundance inhibit you from recognizing what true faith in God looks like? Do you associate God’s blessings with living in the USA? When you have problems and trials do you feel you are being punished, or that God has abandoned you? Explain. When things go well, do you feel you are being rewarded for your faith or your “goodness”? What things do you tend to put faith in other than God? What’s the difference between hope and faith? 

Response – Write down some of your faith experiences. Include times when your prayers were answered and when they were not. How was God faithful even in the times when things didn’t turn out as you hoped?

Prayer – Father God, we thank you for the many blessings we enjoy living in a land of plenty. May we never believe we are more deserving that many other Christians around the world who have great faith but are experiencing persecution, trials, and troubles. Draw near to your children who are going through great distress, pain, and sorrow. Hear their cries. Provide aid physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Care for them, Lord. May hope ring eternal in the hearts and lives of your people everywhere! In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.