God has plans to prosper you.

If we walk into any home decor store, we might find a wall plaque or mug with the Bible verse from Jeremiah 29:11—that God plans to prosper us.

But let's be careful.

We need to think about how we apply a verse because we can imagine it means what it doesn't.

A friend of mine used this verse as her personal mantra when she started with a home-based multilevel marketing business. She hung onto it as if God personally promised her that her business would sell millions because "God says He will prosper me."

But this verse wasn't written to her—it was written to the Israelites stuck in exile.

Also, what if the kind of prospering God has for us is different than this specific promise to the Israelites living in Babylon?

Listen in to this week's podcast to discover the real story behind this verse and the tangible hope it offers for our lives—but it might not be what you think.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

Read

Most of the Israelites were living in captivity in Babylon and false prophets told them, "Don't worry! We will return home soon!" But that was not the case.

God gave Jeremiah a message for those in Babylon that was written into a letter and sent to those living in fear and despair, away from their homes and communities.

This message was from God to the Isrealites in a specific place and time for a specific reason.

Of course, there are principles about God's character we can glean from the text for our lives today, but remember the audience as you read this passage for today's devotion.

Jeremiah 29:4–14

4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Reflect

What did the Spirit highlight for you from this passage?

God offered Israel hope about their future—which is different than the hope we have for our future. Our future hope is Jesus Christ himself! One day He is coming back to make all things new and then we will have the perfect peace we long for.

What do you look forward to in the future when Jesus returns and makes all things new?