“For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). What does Jeremiah 29:11 mean?
A Great Promise
It’s true! God has plans to give us peace, a future, and a hope. What a great promise! And this is God’s wish for everyone. But this promise is conditional; it will only come true for those who follow Him:
“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Who did God make this Promise To?
Originally, God made this promise to the Jews exiled to Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem in 597 BC. The prophet Jeremiah tells us how many Jews were taken to Babylon at that time:
“These are the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand and twenty-three Jews” (Jeremiah 52:28).
God had told these exiles they’d be refugees for seventy years. So, He charged them to settle down on the land, plant crops, build houses, get married, and raise children. He even said to seek the peace of their new city and pray for it. For its peace would benefit them.
However, these exiles had several false prophets among them who troubled them. These seers were giving God’s people false hopes. They told the people to return to Jerusalem to live, and God would bless them. But God made it clear: He hadn’t sent this message!
God told them they would return, and He would bless their homecoming, but not for seventy years.
God’s Promise is Available to All
Though this promise was made at a specific time to the Jews in exile in 597 BC, God’s blessing applies to His people today. This promise is available to everyone, but it’s conditional. God’s wish is for every person to qualify for this blessing. But it’s not for those who rebel against Him.
- The first qualification is to obey the gospel
Salvation is available to everyone without cost:
“To all who received Him (Jesus), He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His (Jesus’) name” (John 1:12). For there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
- The second qualification is to live according to God’s purpose.
Everyone who believes in Jesus’ Name will go to heaven, whether or not they live according to God’s purpose. But, to claim God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11, believers must also live obedient lives.
Believers can choose to rebel. And if they do, they will receive judgment in this life. The Apostle Peter warns:
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it begins first with us, what shall the end be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:7).
God’s Promise is for Eternity
God is good to all living people, “For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). He also offers and provides salvation to everyone without cost.
But after death, in eternity, He will not bless those who refused to believe the gospel.
“In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
Summary
God has plans to give everyone who has lived peace, a future, and hope. But His promised plans are conditional. His blessing in Jeremiah 29:11 is available to all and will come true for those who believe the gospel and obey His call for their lives.
We invite you to watch the Great News Video below to find out more about believing in Jesus Christ.
Do you have more questions? How can you be okay in a situation where you have no control? Read this article here.
