Trials and God’s purpose

One of my favourite bible verse (like almost everyone else, I believe) is Jeremiah 29:11 and it reads "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." (Amplified Version, Classic Edition)

But that verse in itself doesn't tell the full story.

The context for the verse is captured at the beginning of the chapter, and it is part of a developing story about Israel's captivity. God asked the people to yield themselves to captivity willingly to avoid losing their lives because the captors would eventually come to take the country by force.

Back to Jeremiah 29; The chapter is a letter written to those who yielded to God's instruction (or advice) and walked into captivity rather than waiting to be taken forcefully.

It is to those people that God sent the words in Jeremiah 29:11. How do you explain it to them?

Of course, they must have believed the word of God through Jeremiah to surrender willingly, but I don't imagine that they did it with ecstasy. Rather, I imagine that they are afraid and are feeling dejected and full of regret, because God is judging them for their sins.

So again, how do you expect those people to receive Jeremiah 29:11?

Photo by Niklas Hamann on Unsplash.com

This is God insisting that no matter what you are going through, His thoughts and plans still stand true. You can rest assured that they are good and not evil, and in the end, your life will look like God's design.

And yes, this is also true, even if your current experience is as a result of your sins and transgressions.

In all, let your heart remain connected to God and never give up on Him, as He will not give up on you.