Reading the Bible is very important in our relationship with the Lord, not only spiritually, mentally but physically. This specific verse talks about God’s plan and the future he has created for each and everyone of us.
Jeremiah 29:11 “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”. Before applying this verse to our everyday life, we need to understand the context. This verse is addressed to those who were exiled from Jerusalem and were enslaved in Babylon. Judah had done many sins and had to be punished, therefore God was going to send the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem. Jeremiah writes to those who were taken by the Babylonians to tell them that the people would return to the land after 70 years. Afterwards he reassures them that God has not forsaken them and they will be restored. God’s plan for his people were “for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”.
This verse reflects on God’s grace and affection for those whom he loves. But also this verse can be applied because the unchanging nature of God. God had promised to bring Israel back, therefore, those exiled could be assured that they had a ‘future and a hope’. This promise was not made to all nations at the time, but only to Israel. Likewise, God has promised believers in Christ that with Jesus Christ all things can work for good. For those who are in Christ, God has promised that our sins are forgiven when we repent. God has plans for those in Christ, and those plans are good.
We should all understand that the Lord has planned our lives even before we were in our mother’s womb. Good and bad things happen all the time, but one thing we need to think about during those times is the faithfulness and love of our Christ. He wants us to know that everything will be okay when we welcome Him into our lives daily. We should take time everyday to thank the Lord for all that he has done for us and acknowledge the great plans and future he has created.