Jeremiah 29:11 ~ 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.”~
When we contemplate God’s plan, we often try to bend His will to suit what is convenient for us. We can only see what is right in front of us; we have no sense of the big picture, especially when we are struggling through a crisis. If we don’t trust the process or take the necessary steps to fulfill God’s plan, we begin to come up with our own solutions and claim that God has blessed our decisions.
When the Israelites were held captive and exiled in Babylon, Hananiah, the son of Azur the prophet, spoke of peace returning to them in two years time. In Jeremiah 28:10-11 Hananiah takes the yoke from Jeremiah’s neck and breaks it, proclaiming: “11…This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.’ ” In essence, he deceives the people by claiming his will is God’s will. This is a mistake that we often make when we want to enforce our will out of urgency, and rationalize our decisions. We say that our will is really God’s will, when we actually leave God completely out of the equation.
In Jeremiah 29, God speaks through Jeremiah and reveals His true plan for them. Jeremiah 29:10 states: “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.”
It would take seventy more years for the captives to return, but God vows that He would never leave them or allow them to be destroyed in captivity. They would still prosper and build a life in their predicament. God did not make empty promises or offer short term solutions. He created a plan that would ensure their peace, joy, and perseverance.
When we feel caught in an inescapable situation, or held captive by sin, grief, hopelessness, and sorrow, we must remember that God has a plan for us. Each path we cross, whether it’s a clear or a treacherous road, God has laid the groundwork for our prosperity. He is with us wherever we go, for He knows the plans He has for us. It is His power that guides us through and liberates us from our captivity, whatever it may be. God bless.
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