Welcome to another edition of Joni and Friends!
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and thank you for choosing to spend these minutes with me – I know you’re busy; I know you’ve got lots going on, but bless you for listening into a word of encouragement for you today. And just what is that word? Jeremiah 29:11. I bet you know it well, “‘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.’”
I tell you what, you walk into a Christian bookstore, or into the homes of believers, and you will often see Jeremiah 29:11 hand-embroidered and framed, hanging up for all to see and be encouraged. It’s a beautiful promise and an oft-quoted favorite of many Christians. And it’s easy to see why. Everyone loves the idea that God’s plans for his children are to prosper them and not harm them, to give hope and a future, bright with possibilities.
But let’s take a reality check here because the context of this verse is striking. It was part of a letter written by the prophet Jeremiah and placed into the hands of the exiles from Judah being dragged off to Babylon. They had been beaten mercilessly, conquered, and then enslaved. These dejected Israelites not only faced a long, difficult journey east across the desert, but once they arrived, they would be forced to labor for their conquerors, much as their ancestors did in Egypt. Many of them would never see their homeland again.
And this is the moment when God gives this invigorating and encouraging promise to inspire the captives. They were not to lose heart. They should have hope. God’s plans for them weren’t over. One day the Lord would deliver them and bring the nation back to Jerusalem. Despite the heartbreak of captivity, and all the death and destruction, God’s purpose was ultimately not to harm his people. Yes, they would feel the sting of slavery and difficulties, but it ultimately meant a prosperous future.
Now, I wanted you to understand this context for Jeremiah 29:11 because I just bet that in the past you’ve read that verse and it sounded like it could be your guarantee that God would stave off any pain, keep away disappointment and trials and tribulations. After all, his plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, right? Well, God’s purpose is to (like the Israelites) refine us, change us, transform us, and make us more like Christ; and friend, you have to know that’s going to mean hardship. God will do nothing that will result in harm to your soul. Oh, yes, harm to your body perhaps; harm and injury in your home, in your family… So… what is the hope and future in Jeremiah 29 all about? Well, it’s Christ in you, the hope of glory! That’s what God is after.
And this is why Jeremiah 29 means so much to me as a quadriplegic, as a cancer survivor. God’s plan and purpose is so much bigger than just staying safe, staying unscathed by pain, being comfortable and having things easy. God’s Word goes a lot deeper than we realize and it’s why we’re told to study the Word so that we rightly divine its meaning. And to help you with that, I’d like to send you a beautiful 12-page foldout called “The Bible Overview” and it really is a handy little reference to keep tucked away in the front of your Bible – all the who-what-when-and-where’s of God’s Word. You can get your copy by visiting my radio page today at joniandfriends.org. Finally, remember that God’s plans are not to harm you, but to make you more like Jesus – Jeremiah 29 is not about hurting you… it is about God helping you.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
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