Daily Devotions

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Joye Roll.

¹⁰For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. ¹¹For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. ¹²Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. ¹³When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, ¹⁴I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. Jeremiah 29:10-14

We all know this verse – For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.  It is often quoted as a reminder that God has great plans for us especially when we are facing difficult circumstances in our lives.  However, the context of the verse shows us that it is not a promise to each of us to have a life full of blessings.

God is telling the exiled Jews living in Babylon that they will have 70 years of captivity.  While in captivity, they are to be rooted and build new lives, seeking the welfare of their new cities and neighbors.  But while doing this, they are to remember that God has a plan – one that will not leave them alone or in exile. They must pray, seek and obey God, and God will gather them together again. 

What do these verses mean for us today? We are to be blessings wherever we are. In our difficult times, when we feel like we are in exile, God will be with us.   We should seek him with all our hearts.  Above all we live with a different covenant than the Jewish exiles Jeremiah was writing to.  Jesus promised us life eternal with God himself, never to be separated. 

Let us pray:  Heavenly Father, we know our future with you will be wondrous beyond earthly understanding.  Until then, help us to live as blessings to others.   Help us to seek a relationship with you.  Be with each of us when our lives here on earth are difficult and surround us with your love and your peace.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

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