Don't Disqualify Yourself

Good Morning,

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. Jer. 29:11

For most of you this is undoubtedly a very familiar verse. While it is a verse that has sometimes been misused to promote the idea that prospering always means wealth and a lack of difficulty, it is still a verse with powerful truth. What I want you to see this morning is not the specifics of what prospering might mean, as much as the context in which this verse was spoken. Because the context makes it a very powerful and hopeful precept indeed.

The book of Jeremiah is filled with hard messages and prophesies for the Jews. They had rebelled against God. Jeremiah had the unenviable task of speaking truth to a people who weren’t interested in listening.  A people who had become religious hypocrites.  At times, he had to confront leaders who were dishonest and oppressive. False prophets were plentiful. The people of Judah would suffer God’s punishment of exile.

In chapter 29 Jerimiah speaks to the Jews in exile and offers the words of hope we read in verse 11. Words of truth and expectancy to a people who simply put, had messed up.  Yet they were a people still deeply loved by God. God assures them that He still has good plans for them. Plans to prosper them and to give them a hope and a future. 

That is why the context is so important. Author and teacher Steve Moore in commenting on this verse says God is essentially telling these people, “There is nothing you can do to make me forget why I made you!”. What we see here gives us a glimpse into the heart of God. We see illustrated His unchanging faithfulness and character. Even while acting justly, He is at the same time good, gracious, merciful, and kind.  He implores these people, “Don’t quit hoping and don’t quit dreaming, because I have not forgotten”.

Friend, the same is true for you. No matter your past, your mistakes, your failures, God has not forgotten. He says to you just as he said to the Jewish exiles over 2700 years ago, I know the plans I have for you “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

As we take the rest of this month to look at the importance and power of dreaming, don’t disqualify yourself. God invites you to keep hoping, expecting, and trusting. He believes in you. The question is, will you believe him?

Questions to ponder this week:

1. In what ways or in what area of my life have I quit dreaming and hoping? 

2. What will it take for you to believe what God believes for you?

Live on purpose,
Ron Klopfenstein

P.S. Feel free to pass these on to others you know. Also feel free to share your feedback and stories of impact with me.