Jer 29:11 in the Insta-Society

"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11 is a beautiful verse!  A reminder that God is good, His Will is good, and His plan is good.

The problem lies in our haste to cherry pick verses from the Bible and make them fit our lives in the
way that we want.  When seeking a new job, new house, finding a spouse, etc., plans of prosperity and hope are what we desire.  So, what's wrong with clinging to this verse? Answer: "Instant Gratification in a ME society." We want prosperity now, so we twist it upside down.

I find myself guilty of a similar act in marriage. When my wonderful husband Tom makes a claim to enjoy something that I want him to, I tend to hold on to his statement and bring it up whenever it best fits my desire.  Prime example: Chick Flicks!   I love feel good movies that involve a love story.  Does Tom love chick flicks?  Not exactly, I can think of tons of other types of "man" movies he would rather watch.  However, when there is a rare occasion that he enjoys a "Britt Flick,", I tend to use this as a bargaining point for watching another similar flick.  "Remember, you said liked 'The Proposal' and 'About Time,' you will like this movie too...." 

When revisiting the Bible for the true context of Jeremiah 29, we see that Jeremiah is speaking to the elders that have been taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar's rule.  The Lord's message is to build, plant, multiply, pray, and seek peace in Babylon despite circumstance. "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fullfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.  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 a hope and a future."  TIME OUT:  The prosperity comes after 70 YEARS?!  Yes, you heard it right.  The question is, do we trust in God's perfect will even when the prosperity may not even come in this life? 

Does God promise prosperity, hope, and a future?  ABSOLUTELY!  Does God promise prosperity, (otherwise defined as success, wealth, security) in this life, no.  God chooses to bless and we thank Him for that, but many strong men and women in the family of God have not lived "prosperous" lives.  We are to live seeking Him knowing that our Hope and eternal security is Him.  He will deliver us from this land.

Rather than twist this passage for our benefit and hold God to a promise that he has not made, we as adopted as his sons and daughters, should cling to this: He will never leave us and does not want to harm us.  He promises Salvation, Sanctification, Mercy, and Hope.