For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
Words of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah.
The Lord had just informed the exiles, who were being punished for sin, that the promise of peace would be fulfilled in 70 years.
They were to live their lives in Babylon like they would have lived them in Jerusalem. (verses 5-7) He also warns the exiles not to listen to the “false prophets and diviners” in their midst.
Now, I know how long 70 years is-that is seven decades. For a lot of people that is a lifetime. Among those who were originally exiled were some who would never see home again. There were probably many people who only heard stories about Jerusalem.
A lot of people really like the words of this verse and adopt it as their life verse. I was one who did. I saw it every day as I passed a Christian bookstore on the way to my dad’s to pick up my stepmother to take her to radiation treatments.
When I read the context, I learned more of what the verse meant. This practice has made me more aware of what certain passages of scripture truly mean.
I do love that verse, too, Cecelia. It encourages us to live with hope each day, trusting that God always keeps His Word.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Martha Jane: Yes, it encourages me to do things that I don't always feel like doing, things that HAVE to be done. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
DeleteGod's thoughts towards Israel indeed. But when I read these words they become rhema (living word) to me. God is no respecter of persons, and His thoughts for me are good as well!
ReplyDeleteMarja: I like the idea of these words becoming living words to us. I believe these words kept the Israelite people and gave them some hope and strength. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
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