Blessings in Dispersion
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
What great promises from God. Regardless of the context there is such great power in the verse even standing alone. Others must think the same, because I’ve seen this verse framed and hanging on walls in homes, churches, restaurants and even stores. I heard it again last Sunday morning, spliced appropriately into a sermon.
Yet as I reread Jeremiah recently, it jumped out at me the context in which this WORD of God was brought to the Israelite people. This is part of Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles. They were in the middle of dispersion. In chapter 39 (10 chapters later),
The context makes this word from God all the more powerful. God is highlighting that, He is Sovereign. God is in control. God is saying to the people of
As I ponder the context of the Church today, I’m reminded that we are in times of dispersion denominationally. We are presently challenged by theological, moral and institutional crisis in many denominations. This is causing an incredible amount of pain. But In the midst of the pain, in the midst of crisis, God is saying, “I have a plan”.
It is indeed comforting to me to be reminded by the prophet Jeremiah as God spoke to the people of
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (ESV)
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