Right in the middle of today’s section of scripture is one of my all time favorite verses.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to hard you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

What’s the context?  Normally we use this verse to give us a good feeling that the Lord’s going to take care of us and help us have a great life and career.  Many of my high school seniors and college students claim this verse as they are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. (Jer, 29:11)

The truth of the matter is that this passage was written to the Israelites that were exiled in Babylon.  The Lord told them that after seven years he would bring them out of this captivity.  Interestingly enough He reminds them back in verse four that it was He who sent them into exile in the first place and it would be Him who would carry them out.  Their past, present, and future where known and even ordered by God.  He wanted them to learn something in the process.  He wanted them to turn back to Him and follow Him with their whole heart. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:13)  Like yesterday’s blog, we see here again that God’s more interested in our heart and our relationship with Him, than He is our circumstances.  Higher ways.