Jeremiah 29:11 – Whose Plans?

“‘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.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s plans and our plans don’t always match up, but when they do, it’s golden. We often get so caught up in our own planning for the future that we lose sight that God is doing the same for us. I’m always thrilled when I remember to stop for a moment and ask, “Hey, God, are these plans yours or mine?” It’s good to check ourselves because God’s plans are always better.

Context (Jeremiah 29:1-23): This is a great text of promise found in a letter Jeremiah writes from Jerusalem, on behalf of the LORD, to the people exiled to Babylon. It’s in this letter that God tells his wayward Israelites to get comfortable in Babylon because they’re going to be there for a while, for seventy years. God takes responsibility for their being taken away into exile in the first place and warns them about listening to prophets there. Our memory verse falls right after God promises to bring them home in the future and make good on all the promises not yet fulfilled. Among other blessings, that means sending Jesus, doesn’t it? Continue reading “Jeremiah 29:11 – Whose Plans?”

Jeremiah 23:1-8 – A Righteous King

Read Jeremiah 23:1-8

A heart made out of letters saying Christ is Your Righteousness in all different sizes

The idea of kingship continues from our last reading, but with a different focus and three unexpected promises. The author is using the image of shepherds and sheep which would mean a lot more to the people first hearing God’s message. However, while shepherds are known to be very intent on providing the best care for their sheep, these kings were being likened to bad shepherds.

Here are the promises: (1) “Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them” but there will remain a remnant; (2) a righteous descendent of King David’s line will be raised up to lead with justice; and (3) the people will one day recall the rescue from exile in Babylon rather than the exodus from Egypt. What made these promises “unexpected?”

Continue reading “Jeremiah 23:1-8 – A Righteous King”
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