We live in a time of uncertainty, the Babylonian exiles were in a place not of their choosing and I can understand that they may well have had a sense of having a future that was without hope, that God had forgotten them. Sometimes we can come to this place as well. Jeremiah speaks into this in saying we have a God who does have plans for us, plans which give us a future and a hope.
Having said this he calls the people to place of wholehearted seeking after God, Mk 12:30 and other parallel scriptures in the Gospels call upon us to love the Lord our God, with ALL our heart, ALL our mind, soul and strength. Are we at a place where we will give priority to seeking God in prayer, having a preparedness to seek what his will for us is and then follow it. Below are two reflections on Jeremiah 29 vs. 11-13
For surely I know the plans I have for you says the LORD
Plans for welfare and not for harm, to give you a future and a hope
At times you will experience loss, yet I am with you, that is my word
You are mine; I desire good things for you, in my presence lope
You can run like a deer, be sure footed in my love, free as a bird
If you trust in me and my word, then in my love you will soak
For I know your every need, have faith, trust in me your LORD
My peace is greater than the world can give an eternal hope
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you
When you search for me, you will find me, if you search for me with all your heart
Seek me and my entire kingdom first, as you do this you’ll keep me in view
And as you do I will be faithful to you, from me you’ll never be apart
Worship me with all you are heart, mind, body, spirit, of your praise I am due
For in doing this you will know my presence and my peace warming your heart
Mark Maffey, November 2005
(NRSV)
For I know the thoughts that I think towards you says the Lord
Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope
At times you may feel lost, alone, yet I am always with you it’s my word
You my people are faced with life challenges; at times it’s hard to cope
But I say this to you my promise gives hope, seek, and treasure my word
For I am able to do all things, my plans for you are beyond your scope
You can place your trust in me, have you not seen, have you not heard?
I never tire, I never weary, and my thoughts toward you give you a future and hope
Then you will call upon me, and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you
And you will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart
As you come to me my people, and seek me with all your heart, I will hear you
For I know the blueprint, the plan I have prepared for your life from the start
Build your life on my precious cornerstone; you need to keep me in clear view
Seek first my kingdom and its righteousness, and do it will all of your heart
Mark Maffey, August 2007
(NKJV)