How to Apply Jeremiah 29 (understand Jeremiah 29:11-13)

So many of us find such comfort in the Scripture found in Jeremiah 29:11. It is therefore a wonder that so few people actually read any further. The entirety of Jeremiah 29 (specifically Jeremiah 29:5-14) has so much to tell us. This article will briefly explain how to understand these verses. For a more detailed description of how to apply these verses to one's life, check out the book "Plans To Prosper You" at the website www.plans2prosperU.com or from Amazon.com.

"Build Houses....Plant Gardens (Jeremiah 29: 5-7)

Step 1: Continue to Do What You are Supposed to Do

After a brief introduction regarding the Israelites' less than ideal situation, God is telling them that they must "keep on keeping on," they must "stay the course." They are not to sit around, do nothing, and wait to be delivered. God wants them to have an abundant life in their current situation as they await the future plans he has for them. God wants you to live an abundant life now, even if your circumstances are less than ideal now. You must not sit around and do nothing. You must act.

"Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you." (Jeremiah 8-9)

Step 2: Turn to the Lord and Do Not Listen to Bad Advice

False prophets were telling the people what they wanted to hear and the people were trusting in them. How often do we seek bad advice? How often do we give bad advice? We are to turn to God and direct others to God. Only God knows the plans He has for us.

"When seventy years...I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place." (Jeremiah 29:10)

Step 3: We Must Wait on the Lord

As a people, the Jews would not return to the promised land until God was ready to return them. This is a classic lesson in God's timing. God's timing is not our own. Waiting on the Lord does not mean to do nothing. We are to continue with step 1, doing our part, and in God's time He will do His part.

"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,)

Step 4: Receive God's Promise

And here is "the verse of hope." After God spent a few verses setting up the background of what the Jews were to do now and how long they would have to do it, He tells them that He has great plans for them.

Simply receive this promise as your own. Yes it was to the Jews thousands of years ago, but these verses set up God's desire for all humanity if they will only do the next step.

"Then...You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart....and I will bring you back from captivity." (Jeremiah 29:12-14a)

Step 5: Seek God With All Your Heart

In these 3 verses is the key to understanding Jeremiah 29. This is the condition to receiving the plans that God has for us in verse 11. God's plans for us will come to fruition when we seek Him with all of our heart. The New Testament tells us that it is in and through Jesus Christ that all of the promises of God find their fulfillment.

Summary:

We all experience obstacles and go through life's trials. When we find ourselves in these situations we must not give up. We must do our part and continue living and being fruitful. God does have a plan for us but His plan might not be on our timing. We must pray to God and when we do, He will listen and He will reveal His Son to us. We must seek Him with all of our hearts. Then and only then will we find Him through Christ and He will bring us out of our captivity to experience the plans He has for us. And finally, God does indeed want us to live an abundant life here on earth but the true plans He has for us will be realized when we meet Him in Heaven.

Learn more about Jeremiah 29 visit the website http://www.Plans2ProsperU.com and buy the book "Plans To Prosper You: Find Your Purpose Through Jeremiah 29" by George E. Sayour. You can also learn more about this book from Amazon.com.