Graciousness
I love the scripture Jeremiah 29:11: 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. In this verse the prophet Jeremiah is prophesying to the people of Judah what God is going to do for them when they come out of captivity. The people of Judah were in captivity because of their disobedience to God. This is what the Lord says: Look, an army is coming from the land of the North, a great nation is being stirred up from the ends of the earth Jeremiah 6:22. …I will hand all Judah over to the king of Babylon…Jeremiah 20:4.
The people of Judah had been given multiple opportunities to repent from their sins and change their behavior but they refused. They were held in bondage for 70 years because of their disobedience. God is so gracious that even in His punishment, He tells them that He will continue to bless and prosper them. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” Jeremiah 29:4-7, NIV.
Our God sees us wherever we are. He knows what situations we may find ourselves in because of our disobedience to Him. God will always give us opportunities to change our behavior. But if we persist in our own ways, He will discipline us for our disobedience. It is just like any parent who gives their children warnings to change their behavior. After a while, the parent says “Okay, you would not listen so here is your punishment”.
Even though our parents punish us for our wrong behavior it never stops the wonderful desire and plans they have for us in the future. They are still making a way for us to get the best education and to have the best life possible. How much more does our God do that for us! That is exactly what Jeremiah 29:11 is all about. God is reminding His people that He still has awesome plans for them and will make their way prosperous.
Family, at times we may feel so down and disappointed in ourselves, thinking that God could not possibly want to bless us. But that is so far from the truth. We have a loving God who has only great plans for our lives. Be encouraged that no matter what situation you are experiencing right now, God has great things ahead for your life! Keep your head up high and be encouraged as you journey out of where you are to where He is taking you!
Father,
Thank you for your graciousness, that even when you discipline us for our disobedience, you still have great plans for us when we repent from our sins and receive your forgiveness. Thank you for putting us back on the road to the wonderful plans that you have for our lives. We thank you in Jesus name, we pray, Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCC Ministriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9