Jeremiah 29 contains a letter of hope. Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles; those King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. In the letter Jeremiah tells them to build houses and carry on their daily life in Babylon. He tells them to pray for the welfare of the city to which they had been deported.
Jeremiah also promises that their stay in Babylon would not be a permanent one, but when 70 years pass, their captivity will be completed, and they will be restored to their homeland.
Part of that promise reads: “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” [vs 11-13 HCSB]
Israel was living in ancient Babylon, the most corrupt and idolatrous nation in the world at the time. I think we are living in a Babylon-style nation today also.
But God had a plan for Israel. He had a future and a hope for her. And the same God who had a plan for His children then, is the same God who has a plan for His children now.
Notice what He says to Israel and to us: You WILL call, come, and pray to Me. I WILL listen to you. You WILL seek me … You WILL find me … when … you search for Me with all you heart.
God has a plan for us beloved. His plan is for our welfare (not for our disaster). His plan is to give us a future (eternity in His presence) and a hope (Christ Jesus, our Living Hope). Let us truly seek Him.
