I first began to think about this passage after reading through the Bible looking for God’s promises. This is how it reads: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
After reviewing this scripture for a while, the word “then” particularly struck me. The second part of this passage is what I will do when I believe the first part of the passage. Seeking God wholeheartedly, calling on him, and praying with an expectation that he will hear are the fruit of believing that God’s plans for me are for my welfare, a certainty that there is a hopeful future for me.
These words were not spoken to people experiencing a life that met their expectations. These are words to exiles in Babylon—people who would prefer to be back in Judah. Jeremiah tells them the exile will last 70 years. They are to build homes, marry, and multiply in this foreign land—to actually seek the welfare of the cities they are living in. It may have been challenging to believe that God’s plans were for their welfare and to give them hope.
When life’s circumstances do not lend themselves to believing that my future is hopeful and God is working for my welfare, what do I need to ponder? As I considered this question, three things came to mind that I believe God wants me to be confident of:
- God’s love: Difficult circumstances are not proof that I have been abandoned. If God’s love surrounds me (Psalm 32:10) I should be able to trust that he is working for my benefit in everything I face.
- God’s sovereignty: God is not wringing his hands over my plight, wondering what can be done. In this particular case, God was actively at work to bring about the exile. Am I willing to believe that God can orchestrate the details of my life to work out his plans for me?
- God’s actions are right: As Abraham said to the Lord, “Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Genesis 18:25) An assurance that God does the right thing can help me seek his wisdom for my circumstances instead of complaining about them.
When I am confident in God it is easier to call on him, to pray to him, and to seek him with all my heart, despite my circumstances. God, who created me for this time and this place, knows what is best for my life.