FRANKLIN LIVING JUY-AUGUST 2024—

Whether it be an optimistic, forward-looking internet post, or perhaps a greeting card, most church-going people are familiar with the words in Jeremiah 29:11: “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.”

Beautiful sounding words? Absolutely! Yet too often, this message from God to his chosen people who are in Babylonian exile is pulled out of context. These inspired words still hold value for Christians today, but we must understand them in the context.

Jeremiah’s inspired letter, recorded in Jeremiah 29:4-23, might be best understood as a reality check for those who had been exiled away to Babylon. First, it erased the false hope being promoted by false prophets of the day. Further, it revealed the exiles would be in Babylon for 70 years, rather than the two years being promised by the false prophets. Jeremiah’s letter explained the core problem: God’s people hadn’t listened to him. It did include some good news, though: God would eventually bring his exiled people home.

While some folks have incorrectly attempted to apply Jeremiah 29:11 to their personal day-to-day concerns, this reality check from Jeremiah should serve to remind us of some valuable truths for today. First, God is still working his plan to provide salvation to and protect those who belong to his Son (1 Peter 1:3-5). He still listens to us when we pray (James 5:16), and He still wants people to seek him wholeheartedly (Acts 17:27)! Ultimately, He is still planning to bring his spiritual family home to where He is (1 Peter 1:13).

Texas preacher Wes McAdams explains what goes wrong when Scripture is pulled from its context and misapplied: “When I take Scripture in context, it almost always points to Jesus. However, when I take Scripture out of context, I try to make it about me.” And that seems to be what some people have done with Jeremiah 29:11.

Does God care about the things going on in our daily lives? A reading of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 would certainly seem to indicate so. Further, James invites Christians to always remember that every good and perfect gift is ultimately from God (James 1:17). Always remember though, regardless of any current positive or negative physical circumstance, the spiritual future and hope we need most is found only in Jesus. Referring to Jesus, Acts 4:12 states, “There is salvation in no one else. God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Do you belong to Jesus today? Have you humbled yourself in obedience to him? If not, why not? Your eternal future depends on the choice you make!

Philip Goad has been serving as the minister at North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville since March 2020.