Verse of the Day 1/10

Verse of the Day 1/10

Jeremiah 29:11-12 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. New International Version (NIV)

I know that 2018 was a difficult year for many of us, dealing with illnesses, loss of loved ones, perhaps job changes and many other things. It is likely that many of those things or their impact carry over into this year. At the same time, hopefully, you can look back and see how God was with you in those times, you can look back over your whole life and see how God has been with you and brought you to his place.

Today's verses are encouraging but it is important to realize the backdrop of when they were given. God gave these words to the people not in a time of ease or prosperity but when they were facing 70 years of captivity. Captivity would bring suffering, hunger and make life in general a struggle. But God is telling them I will be with you and have plans, good plans for you.

Many times we may read verse 11 and not go further, but we need to look at verse 12 where God says "call on me, come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." When we do, He speaks peace to us, calms our fears, causes and enables us to see through the situation or to trust Him in the storm. We'll come out the other side stronger, more grounded in our faith, and able to use what we've learned for the benefit of others.

Read the passage from The Message below. Call on Him, you won't be disappointed.

Blessings,

Mike

Jeremiah 29:10-14 The Message (MSG)

10-11 This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

12 "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.

13-14 "When you come looking for me, you'll find me.

"Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree.

"I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—God's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.