Jeremiah 29:11

NASB	NLT	VOICE
11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give a future and a hope.	11 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.	11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope – never forget that.

Plans for Peace

In the context of Jeremiah 29, the Israelites are during a Babylonian exile – a consequence for their disobedience against God. God is reassuring them that He has a specific plan for them. God has control over history, and He is closely involved in the lives of His chosen people. This plan is full of peace. It’s not about material wealth, but it’s about healthy spiritual well-being and fulfillment. Historically, the Israelites were dealing with hardships, but God is using it for good. God did not create their hardship but will use the consequences of their decisions for His greater will. These plans will give them a future and hope. The future shows that God’s promises are eternal and will bring restoration. The hope is a reminder that God is faithful to His promises and people. God’s words here are spoken to a whole exiled community, not just individuals, which reminds us that God’s plans often unfold through and for a people together, not just isolated lives.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: God’s plans will bring you peace and fulfillment at the end of the day. What plans do you see God showing you for your life? How do you feel God’s peace in those plans?

Using Our Chaos for Calm

Prosperity is different in the Bible than we may understand it in the world. When I’ve thought of prosperity, I think of material wealth. Someone who has a lot of money, a lot of assets, a lot of tangible experiences, and more are prosperous people in my mind. However, prosperity in this biblical context brings about peace. God’s plan brings about healthy spiritual mindsets and lifestyles. It’s a way to learn about living a godly life while battling the temptations of the world. It’s about learning what our skills, talents, and gifts are and how God is calling us to use them. It’s about deepening our understanding of Scripture, connecting the historical and cultural contexts to our world today, and reflecting the healthiest teachings of Scripture to all we meet. The world is full of chaos – we can see that wherever we look. The world is built on showcasing chaos because, especially lately, it brings views, brings clicks, brings likes, and brings revenue. We can get so bogged down about all of this, carrying anxiety, fear, and panic, that it can lead us to make harmful decisions. These decisions may be protecting us from short-term pain, can numb us to the pain that we may be feeling, and can distract us from the true issues of our heart. The exile that the Israelites were walking through was a direct consequence of their disobedience. This wasn’t something that God caused them to go through but was a consequence of their actions. All our decisions have consequences. These consequences are things that may hurt us in the short-term, but God will use it for good. God will use it to build us up, to make us stronger, to develop our identity, and to deepen our faith in Him. God will use it to create our testimony to share with others. God will use it to further the plans He has for us, one that will create us a hope and a future.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Think about your current struggles that may be a result of poor decision-making. How could you have done it differently before? What have you learned for the future?

PRAY Action

Praise God for his plans of peace. Praise God for the hope and security of a better future, led through His strength.

Read James 1:2-4

Ask God for clarity with your current struggles. You are allowed to lament those struggles. You can also ask to see how these struggles will lead you to a better future.

You are not your past. You are not your past mistakes. You are not your struggles. You are a human being, a child of God, walking through a broken world attempting to survive.

Next slice of manna: The Overflowing Hope of God’s Spirit || Romans 15:13 || Manna for the Mind #328