"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE PLANS GOD HAS FOR HIS PEOPLE"
Jeremiah 29:10 “For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:12 “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/16/14)
Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:
These verses spoken by God through Jeremiah to the children of Judah about what God was going to do.
The people would because of their rebellion and disobedience be taken into captivity by the Babylonians and held there for 70 long years.
But, following those years God was going to visit them and bring blessings upon them, returning them to their homeland. God goes into great detail here about what His thoughts are towards His people. These are some of the most wonderful and encouraging verses in the Bible. I pray that you make them your own, and find tremendous blessing by believing.
1. God's judgement and chastening is followed by God's blessing.
Jeremiah 29:10 “For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.”
Disobedience does not bring blessing.
Judgment came upon God's people because of their disobedience.
But even in the darkest hour God always expresses hope for His people.
It's no different today. There is hope for You also.
God promises to perform His Word.
God cannot lie.
God called it "His good word”.
And good it was.
God brought His people back to their homeland.
2. Here's what God was thinking about and towards His people.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
God thinks.
God knows what His thoughts are just as you know what Yours are.
God's thoughts are towards His people.
God is thinking about you also.
God's thoughts are thoughts of peace and not of evil (or destruction).
God's plan and purpose is to give His people a future and hope.
God also has a plan and purpose for your future.
Here's how it reads in the NLT "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."
3. God's people can call upon Him, or pray to Him, and He will listen to them.
Jeremiah 29:12 “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
What a wonder to behold.
A person can talk to God.
God will hear and listen to that person.
You can, as a Christian, speak to and with God.
God as your Father will hear you and listen to you.
What a blessing it is to know this about our God.
4. You can seek the Lord, and He promises You will find Him when You search for Him with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Not only can we talk to God and He will listen, but here is another promise.
We can seek the Lord.
He will be found by us.
God explains and encourages us to seek Him with all of our heart.
Through Jesus Christ these things are true for the Christian.
You can seek and find the Lord.
Follow His instruction, put your whole and entire heart into it.
Be sincere.
You will find Him.
Again, here's how this verse reads in the NLT. Jeremiah 29:13 “If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.”
So, let's be earnest and find the Lord.
Questions:
1. Have you ever experienced God's chastening you for disobedience?
2. Do you know what it's like to reap what you have sown?
3. If so, do you know you are not alone, for we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
4. Do you also know there is hope and blessing for you?
5. Are you in a place where you want to seek the Lord?
6. Will you have the confidence that You will find Him?
A Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, may Your name be hallowed in our lives. There is no one like You, Lord. You alone are the true and living God.
Father, Your warnings are sometimes not taken seriously, and we then find that You meant what You said, and we wind up suffering for our disobedience. But, even though we have gotten ourselves in trouble, as it were, You hold out a bright hope and future for us.
Thank You for having such loving thoughts towards us, and thank You for promising us such a great future.
We are overwhelmed with joy when we think about the joy of being with You, and the glories of heaven.
Thank You for making promises that will come true.
We love You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
