College · Day 5 of 5
Purpose Beyond the Plan
Read: Jeremiah 29:4-14 (KJV)
4Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; 5Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. 8For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. 10For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, often printed on graduation cards. But its setting is surprising. God spoke these words to people in exile, far from home, in a season they did not choose and would not leave quickly. Before the promise of a hopeful future, God tells them to build houses, plant gardens, work for the good of the city where they live, and pray for it. In other words, do not put your life on hold while you wait for the next thing. Many young adults feel stuck between who they were and who they want to become, waiting for the real job, the right relationship, or the moment their life finally starts. God's word to the exiles is that your life has already started, right where you are. His plans for you are good, but they unfold in ordinary faithfulness: showing up, serving, seeking Him with your whole heart. You will find Him not when everything is figured out, but when you search for Him in the middle of the unfinished.
Key verse
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
Think about it
- Where do you feel like you are in 'exile,' waiting for life to really begin?
- What would it look like to 'seek the peace of the city' where you live right now: your campus, job, or neighborhood?
- Write down one area where you want God's direction, and one step of faithfulness you can take there today.