![]() Seventy years of living out the values of an eternal kingdom in a hostile culture. Seventy years of persecution (in some parts of the world). Much as we might want to believe that the prosperity of God is a present-tense reality, we have our own seventy years to live. But not yet. We, as post-resurrection Christians, face much of the same dynamic today. So yes, Israelites, God will prosper you. Seven decades of lack of national identity. “When 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place…” (Jeremiah 29:10).ħ0 years. ![]() And most, if not all, of those who heard these words would die in the state they currently found themselves: These were the people who endured the siege of their city, bore witness to the destruction of the temple, and were at present living under the rule of a foreign king in a foreign land. We would do well to remember that this verse was part of a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiled Israelites. It is the Lord’s plan to prosper and not to harm, and because of that unshakable plan we can hope for the future. True enough, the promise in this verse is indeed for prosperity. That line of thinking looks and sees a promise of prosperity across all facets of life – prosperity in health, prosperity in finances, prosperity in career – more prosperity than you can shake a stick at. There is a school of Christian thought which looks at Jeremiah 29:11 as an open and shut case in determining the will of God for every individual. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”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…” (Jeremiah 29:11). "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." - Proverbs 19:21 "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 This shall be in answer to their prayers and supplications to God" - Matthew Henry Complete He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, nor the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith, the end which he has promised and which will turn for the best to them. (2.) He will give them to see the expectation, that end which they desire and hope for, and have been long waiting for. When he begins in ways of mercy he will make an end. He that in the beginning finished the heavens and the earth, and all the hosts of both, will finish all the blessings of both to his people. When things are at the worst they will begin to mend, and he will give them to see the glorious perfection of their deliverance for, as for God, his work is perfect. The time to favour Zion, yea, the set time, will come. (1.) He will give them to see the end (the comfortable termination) of their trouble though it lasts long, it shall not last always. ![]() He will give them an end, and expectation, so it is in the original. Let them have patience till the fruit is ripe, and then they shall have it. The end they expect will come, though perhaps not when they expect it. His thoughts are all working towards the expected end, which he will give in due time. We are sometimes ready to fear that God’s designs concerning us are all against us but he knows the contrary concerning his own people, that they are thoughts of good and not of evil even that which seems evil is designed for good. We often do not know our own thoughts, nor know our own mind, but God is never at any uncertainty within himself. Known unto God are all his works, for known unto him are all his thoughts ( Acts. 15:18 ) and his works agree exactly with his thoughts he does all according to the counsel of his will. "I know the thoughts that I think towards you. "To give - This deliverance will not depend upon your merits, but upon my own mercy, and kind thoughts and purposes I have for the seed of Abraham my servant, and I am resolved in my own thoughts what to do, I intend not the blotting out of the name of Israel from the earth, but to give such an end to their trouble as themselves expect and desire." - Wesley's Explanatory Notes What hard thing are you currently going through? In the midst of your suffering, cling to Jeremiah 29:11, but cling to it for the right reason: not in the false hope that God will take away your suffering, but in the true, gospel confidence that he will give you hope in the midst of it. And when we learn perseverance, we find surprising joy. But as we walk out our lives on this crazy earth, let’s remember that the best growth comes through persevering through trials, not escaping them entirely. And ultimately He will give us a glorious future. Yes, of course, God knows the plans He has for us.
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