The Promise Of Hope: Living In God's Plan Jeremiah 29:11-14 Series

The Promise of Hope: Living in God's Plan Jeremiah 29:11-14

Introduction:

Today, we gather to delve into the comforting words found in Jeremiah 29:11, where God assures us of His plans for our lives. In this passage, we discover hope, purpose, and assurance, even in the midst of uncertainty. Let us explore together how we can be transformed by the truth of God's divine plan.

Point 1: God's Plans are Plans of Goodness

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT): "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

In this verse, God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah to reassure His people, exiled in Babylon, that He has not abandoned them. Despite their current circumstances, God's plans for them are rooted in goodness, not harm. His intentions are to bring about a future filled with hope and purpose.

Charles H. Spurgeon once said, "The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night, giving perfect peace." This quote beautifully encapsulates the assurance we find in God's plans for us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

In these verses, Solomon imparts wisdom regarding the importance of trusting in the Lord completely. He advises against relying solely on human understanding and instead encourages seeking God's will in every aspect of life. By doing so, Solomon assures that God will guide and direct our paths, leading us in the way we should go.

As Charles Spurgeon eloquently stated, "Let your heart lean on him, let your tongue confess him, let your actions prove your faith in him, and he shall direct your paths; so shall you be enabled to pursue a straight course."

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Paul reassures believers that God orchestrates all things for the benefit of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This verse underscores the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring about good even in the midst of trials and challenges.

As Corrie Ten Boom once said, "Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see."

Point 2: Seeking God with All Our Hearts

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT): "In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

God promises attentive ears to the prayers of His people. He encourages earnest seeking, assuring that those who search for Him wholeheartedly will indeed find Him. This passage underscores the importance of genuine, fervent prayer in establishing a close relationship with God.

As George Müller once stated, "The great point is never to give up till the answer comes. I have been praying for fifty-two years, every day of my life, for one man. He is not yet saved. But he will be. How can it be otherwise?"

God invites His people to seek Him earnestly through prayer and devotion. He promises to listen to their cries and reveal Himself to those who diligently seek Him with their whole hearts. This underscores the importance of pursuing an intimate relationship with God.

A.W. Tozer once said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." This highlights the significance of our pursuit of God and the impact it has on our lives.

Matthew 7:7 - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Jesus encourages persistence in prayer, assuring that those who continue to ask, seek, and knock will receive answers, find what they seek, and have doors opened to them. This verse emphasises the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in prayer.

As C.H. Spurgeon aptly put it, "We must keep the iron of prayer red-hot, and the force of prayer will become irresistible."

Psalm 63:1 - O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

David expresses his deep longing for God, comparing it to a thirst in a dry and weary land. This verse highlights the intense desire for intimacy with God and the recognition of His incomparable worth and satisfaction.

As A.W. Tozer once said, "To desire revival... is a recognition that things are not as they should be and a prayer that they would become what they should be."