A Promise for the New Year

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

As 2021 closes and a brand-new year opens, full of unknowns and what ifs, it is helpful to draw on God’s precious promises found in his Word. This verse in Jeremiah often brings comfort to the troubled soul. But it is important to understand the historical context of this verse and not just the literary context. Why did Jeremiah the prophet write this verse and who did he write it to?

Often times we grab a verse from the Bible and claim the promise for ourselves, taking comfort in what we read, and that is good and helpful, but if  we look further into the context of the verse, we often gain more understanding which brings about a deeper, more relevant and powerful meaning for our lives.

Learning the context of the verse can help us avoid the tendency we have of reading into scripture our own desired meaning, and instead, find what it is God is saying and what is really intended.

I think sometimes we read this verse and think that it promises blessings abundant and a life without problems. But if we’ve dug into our Bibles enough, we know that in this life there will be tribulations. It is a given. It’s a when, not an if. There will be difficulties, but God has a plan and a purpose and we can live in the hope that he will bring it to pass and God will be glorified through it.

Now, back to our context.

Jeremiah was a prophet sent by God to deliver his message to his people throughout their hardships and trials. He spoke to the Jews who had been living under oppressive Egyptian and then Babylonian rule and had been carried away into exile from their home country, Jerusalem, into Babylon.

In the previous chapter, we find Jeremiah rebuking a false prophet called Hananiah. Hananiah was spreading false hope to the people of God, telling them that God would deliver them from their enemies after 2 years and they would return to their home. (Jer. 28:11)

But God spoke to Jeremiah and told him some hard truths to share with God’s people. Jeremiah had the difficult job of informing the Jews that instead of 2 years captivity, they would be enslaved for 70 years.

Jeremiah 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

And straight after this we read our key verse.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God’s people would not be delivered straight away. Not for 70 years. But God would be with them and would not forget them in their distress.

As Christians, we often cry out to God to rescue us immediately, without delay, right now. But God doesn’t always take us out of a difficult situation speedily. Instead, he promises to be with us through our trial. He promises that regardless of our current situation, he can work through it to prosper us and bring about the end that he desires.

He doesn’t always calm the storm that rages around us, but he will calm us and bring peace to our hearts.

His thoughts toward us are not evil. He has thoughts of peace. He wants us to live in hope. The ‘expected end’ is one of hope.

Jeremiah told the people that they would be in Babylon for quite some time, so they were to settle down. Build houses, plant gardens, marry and seek peace.

Jeremiah 29:5-7 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters……..

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

Maybe you’re facing a difficult situation due to the pandemic or financial hardship or a relationship that is struggling. God promises that it will pass, and it is all in his plan and purpose.

Yes, life is hard right now for all of us. We are all in this together, but as Christ-followers, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s plans for us are not evil and that he will bring us to HIS expected end in HIS perfect timing.

We would love for Christ to return today, and carry us up to Heaven, taking us out of this fallen world. But it may not be today. Or tomorrow. Or this year. We may have a longer captivity here on this earth, and it is our job to live as shining lights here, going about our business, fulfilling our God-given callings, with the promise of God ringing in our ears, that he will protect and provide, comfort and guide if we seek him with a whole heart and obey his voice.

Just as the people of God had to trust the Lord and wait 70 long years for their deliverance, we too have to learn to trust God and we can have the peace in knowing that he is in control, and he will be with us.

Take a look at the verses that follow and the blessed promises they hold for the child of God.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Did you see what it said? God promises to be found when you seek, and to hear when you call. When we, with all our hearts, seek him and call upon him, he WILL be found and he WILL listen. Not might, but will!

So, as you venture forth into a new year, filled with many unknowns, remember that God is the God of the known. He knows. He sees. And nothing is hidden from him. So, whatever it is that you’ll face this year, he knows all about it and he has plans in place already. God is never surprised.

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

Trust him. Obey him. Love him. Call out to him. Hope in him.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.