Finding Hope for the Future (with Jeremiah 29:11)
When you Google, “Favorite verses of all time,” this verse tops the list on so many surveys.
It’s one of the first verses I ever memorized.
Maybe it is for you as well?
It was posted on the wall, underlined in my Bible, and repeated regularly in our household.
And, I’ve gone back to it again and again.
Chances are, you have as well.
It’s Jeremiah 29:11, and it’s today’s verse that we are sharing as a personal prayer.
Discover how to make Jeremiah 29:11 your prayer. Click To Tweet
Finding Hope for the Future (with Jeremiah 29:11)
“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'”
Jeremiah 29:11
For me.
“Thank You, Father, that You gave these words so long ago to Jeremiah to share with those Jews that were in exile – away from their homes.
Thank You that You also gave these words to me today.
You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
I’m so thankful–that because of Jesus–You are my God as well. I’ve been grafted into Your family. I am so blessed by You.
You are indeed Lord of all.
I surrender my heart and my life to You as I begin this prayer time today.”
I surrender my heart and my life to You as I begin this prayer time today. Click To Tweet
Know.
“Lord, I’m so glad that You know all things.
You know what is coming.
Father, You know what is next in my life.
You are updated, in touch, and completely aware of all things at all times.
And, You have examined me and know all about me.
You know when I sit down and when I get up.
Indeed, You know my thoughts before I think them.
You know where I go and where I lie down.
You know everything I do. Lord, even before I say a word, you already know it. And, I’m so grateful for this.
Because You know me so well, I can trust You with my life. I trust You, Father.
I place my life into Your hands today.”
Because You know me so well, I can trust You with my life. I trust You, Father. I place my life into Your hands today. Click To Tweet
The Plans.
“God, I love knowing that You think of me all the time.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God?
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
It encourages me to know that You are thinking about me and my life constantly.
Additionally, thank You, Lord, that You have amazing plans in mind for my life.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
I don’t understand how it all works in time and space, but I’m so grateful that You know the plans that You have for me.
Also, thank You that we can make our plans, but You ultimately determine our steps.
You establish and direct us.
Thank You that You make secure my footsteps as I take delight in You.”
Thank You that You make secure my footsteps as I take delight in You. Click To Tweet
I have for you.
“Thank You for having plans for my life – for me! How blessed You are God! You are the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and You take me to the high places of blessing in Him.
Long before You laid down earth’s foundations, You had me in mind and had settled on me as the focus of Your love, to be made whole and holy by Your love.
Long, long ago You decided to adopt me into Your family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure You took in planning this!)
You wanted me to enter into the celebration of Your lavish gift-giving by the hand of Your beloved Son.
I’m So Grateful!
I’m so grateful that I’m Your workmanship [Your masterwork, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which You prepared [for me] beforehand [taking paths which You set] so that I would walk in them [living the good life which You prearranged and made ready for me].
Thank You for planning and having marvelous things for me to do with my life.
Thank You for uniquely gifting me and placing me on earth at this very moment in history that I might serve You with my gifts. I am the only one who can do the things You created me to do.
Father, I ask that You empower me and help me to faithfully use my time, my energy, and my gifts to serve You.”
Father, I ask that You empower me and help me to faithfully use my time, my energy, and my gifts to serve You. Click To Tweet
Declares the Lord.
“You are Lord! I honor You as the Lord of all creation.
You are the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world.
There is nothing too hard for you.
Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!
Nothing is too difficult for You.
Thank You, because You set my plans, no one can mess them up.
Like Job in the Bible, I declare that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
With Isaiah the Prophet, I also declare, The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has spoken–who can change His plans? When His hand is raised, who can stop Him?”
Oh, Lord, You are Almighty God; when You speak, we can trust what You say!
Oh, Lord, You are Almighty God; when You speak, we can trust what You say! Click To Tweet
Plans for welfare.
“Thank You, Lord, that Your plans are for my best–for my welfare, my well-being, and my good.
You are looking out for me.
You are the One who maintains my lot.
Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
Good Shepherd, You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
I’m so grateful that You take care of me now, tomorrow, and for eternity.
You have amazing plans for my good. I can trust You.”
You have amazing plans for my good. I can trust You. Click To Tweet
And not for calamity.
“Thank You, Father, that Your plans are not for my harm, calamity, or evil.
Disasters will come, but I thank You that I can trust You to guide me through when these things take place.
I’m so grateful that I can trust You to use any challenges in my life for Your glory and my good.
Thank You, that You are greater than evil, or Satan, or the forces of evil.
Who else has held the oceans in His hand?
You measured off the heavens with Your fingers, You know the weight of the earth, the mountains, and the hills on a scale.
And, You have never needed anyone’s advice.
You are Lord.
You are the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.
Indeed, You never grow weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of Your understanding.
You give power to the weak and strength to the powerless; I can trust Your plans for my life and my future.”
You give power to the weak and strength to the powerless; I can trust Your plans for my life. Click To Tweet
To give you a future and hope.
“And, Lord, thank You that You have an amazing future for me.
Thank You that my future is filled with hope.
Even though the days may seem dark at times. I praise You that this is not the end.
This is just the dress rehearsal for eternity.
I don’t understand it all, but I thank You that You can use everything I am going through right now for good and a future full of hope.
Thank You for constantly working in my life. You are effectively at work in me, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in me the longing and the ability to fulfill Your purpose] for Your good pleasure.
Father, I praise You that there has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in me will keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Lord, You began a good work in me; You will be faithful to complete Your plans in my life.”
Lord, You began a good work in me; You will be faithful to complete Your plans in my life. Click To Tweet
Thank You, Lord, that You know what You are doing.
You have it all planned out—plans to take care of me, not abandon me, plans to give me the future I’ve hoped for.
I trust You!
In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Verses used today: Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139, Psalm 16:5, Phil. 1:6, Psalm 37:23, Proverbs 16:1, Eph. 2:10, Jeremiah 32:27, Jeremiah 32:17, Job 42:2, Isaiah 14:27, Psalm 16:5, Psalm 23, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 40, Phil. 2:13, and Phil. 1:6.
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Finding Hope for the Future (with Jeremiah 29:11)
13 Comments
Marilyn K Washington · 05/07/2021 at 12:45 PM
Good word of God amen
helloredds@gmail.com · 05/08/2021 at 6:41 AM
Amen, Marilyn!
Blessings to you today~
Melanie
Patrick · 10/14/2020 at 10:49 AM
I have loved the way you have made Jeremiah 29:11 more lively. I am more empowered in my prayer life by your teachings.
May the good Lord bless you and your ministry abundantly.
I am so much blessed.
helloredds@gmail.com · 10/30/2020 at 11:14 AM
Thank you so much, Patrick!
Sure do appreciate you and your kind words and encouragement.
Hope you will stop by and visit again!
Blessings to you today,
Melanie
Brittany · 01/19/2020 at 1:09 PM
Thank you for breaking it down to make each piece so real and relevant. Love this verse and how you have unpacked it ?
helloredds@gmail.com · 01/20/2020 at 10:42 AM
Thank you, sweet friend!
I just love these verses!
Sure do appreciate you!
Melanie
Myriam · 12/04/2018 at 12:05 PM
Thank you for sharing your spirituality with us. One of my favourite is the book of Jeremiah.can you explain Jeremiah 31 1-3. Thank you ones again.
helloredds@gmail.com · 12/05/2018 at 2:52 PM
Thank you, Myriam!
Sure do appreciate you stopping by.
Great question about Jeremiah 31:1-3. I’m a big proponent of commentaries. According to Pastor John Gill, here are some notes on this passage:
“At the same time, saith the Lord”
The time of the Messiah, the Gospel dispensation, the latter days; when the Jews shall consider the prophecies of the Old Testament, and observe how they have been fulfilled in Jesus; and shall reflect upon their disbelief and rejection of him; and shall turn unto him, and serve the Lord their God, and David their king; see ( Jeremiah 30:9 Jeremiah 30:21 Jeremiah 30:22 Jeremiah 30:24 ) ; will I be the God of all the families of Israel;
not of some few persons only, or of one of a city, and two of a family, but of every family; and this will be when “all Israel” shall be converted and saved, and a nation shall be born at once; then will God show himself to them as their covenant God, manifest his love to them, and bestow the blessings of his grace upon them: and they shall be my people; behave as such to him; own him to be their God, and serve and worship him.
“Thus saith the Lord, the people [which were] left of the sword”
Which were not consumed by the sword of Pharaoh, who perished not through his cruel edicts, and by his sword, when drawn at the Red sea; nor by the sword of the Amalekites and Amorites; or of their own brethren, who sometimes, for their sins, were ordered to slay many, as on account of the molten calf, and joining to Baalpeor: but there was a remnant that escaped, who found grace in the wilderness;
in the sight of God, who went before them, protected and defended them from their enemies; gave them his holy law, his statutes, and his judgments; fed them with manna and quails; clave the rocks, and gave them water to drink; and supplied them with everything necessary for them, ( Psalms 78:5 Psalms 78:15-28 ) ; [even] Israel, when I went to cause him to rest; went before him in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night; and in the ark, the symbol of his presence; and not only to search out a resting place for them for a few days, but to bring them to Canaan, the land of rest, which he had promised them, ( Exodus 13:21 ) ( Numbers 10:33 ) ( Deuteronomy 12:9 Deuteronomy 12:10 ) ; now this past instance of divine goodness is mentioned, to encourage faith in the fulfillment of the above promise. The whole is paraphrased by the Targum thus,
“these things saith the Lord, who gave mercies to the people that came out of Egypt; he supplied their necessities in the wilderness, when they fled from before those who slay with the sword; he led them by his word, to cause Israel to dwell in a place of rest.”
Some render the words in the future, “shall find grace” “shall go to his rest” and so apply it to the Jews that escaped the sword of the Chaldeans, and found favour in the wilderness of the people into which they were brought, and as they returned into their own land from the captivity. And it, nay be also applied to the Jews that were left of the sword of the Romans in their last destruction, who have found much favour among the nations; as they do in ours, and others, now; and who in time will return to their own land, and be in rest, ( Jeremiah 30:10 ) . Yea, it is applicable enough to the church and people of God in their present state; who are left of the sword of the Papists, and are now in the wilderness, where they are nourished for a time, and times, and half a time; and before long will be brought into a state of settled rest and tranquillity.
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, [saying]”
Either to the prophet, bidding him say to the church what follows, so Jarchi: or to Christ, who was from eternity with the Father; lay in his bosom; between whom the council of peace was; with whom the covenant was made; and whom God loved before the foundation of the world; and which is observed by him, for the comfort of his people, ( John 17:24 ) ( 15:9 ) ; so Cocceius; but rather they are the words of Israel, or the church, owning the above instances of God’s grace and goodness; and that he had greatly appeared to them, and for them, in former times; but then this was a great while ago; and besides, now he hid his face from them, and they were under the tokens of his displeasure, and not of his love; to which the Lord replies, for the word “saying” is not in the text, which makes the following a continuation of the church’s speech, though wrongly; since they are the words of the Lord, taking up the church for speaking too slightly and improperly of his love, and in a complaining way: yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love; not only of old, or a good while ago, but from all eternity, and with a love which will always last, and does, notwithstanding dark and afflictive providences; for this love is like himself, sovereign, unchangeable, and everlasting: “I have loved thee”: I, who am the great God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; a God of infinite purity and holiness; do whatever I please in heaven and in earth; and am the Lord that changes not: “have loved”; not love only now, and shall hereafter; but have loved, not for some time past only, but from all eternity, with the same love I now do: “thee” personally, “Jacob, have I loved”, ( Romans 9:13 ) ; thee nakedly, and not thine, or for anything done by thee; thee separately and distinctly, and not others; thee a creature, vile and sinful, a transgressor from the womb, and known to be so beforehand; “thee” now openly, and in an applicatory way, through the evidence of the spirit: “with an everlasting love”: a love from everlasting, which does not commence in time with faith, repentance, and new obedience; these being the fruits and effects of it; but was from all eternity, as appears from the eternal choice of the persons loved in Christ; from the everlasting covenant made with them in him; from the constitution and setting up of Christ as their Mediator from everlasting; and from the security of their persons and grace in him, before the world began: and this love will endure to everlasting, without any variation or change; nothing can separate from it. The evidence of it follows: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee; out of a state of nature; out of Satan’s hands; out of the pit wherein is no water, the horrible pit, the mire and clay; unto Christ, his person, blood, righteousness, and fulness, by faith to lay hold upon them; unto his church, and to a participation of the ordinances and privileges of it; to nearer communion with God, and at last will draw to eternal glory. This is the Father’s act, and to him it is usually ascribed: it chiefly regards the work of conversion, and the influence of divine grace on that; though it also includes after acts of drawing: it supposes weakness in men; is the effect of powerful and efficacious grace; and is done without offering any violence or force to the will of man, who is drawn with, and not against, his will. This is an instance of the love of God; a fruit and effect of it: it is love that draws a soul to Christ, and is the cause of its coming to him; it is love that reveals him to it, and causes it to come to him; love is then manifested and shed abroad in the heart; a cord of it is let down into it, and with it the Lord draws; it is not by the threats of the law, but by the declarations of grace in the Gospel; the cause of drawing is love, and the manner of it is with it. The Targum of the whole verse is,
““Jerusalem said, of old the Lord appeared to our fathers; prophet, say unto them, lo, I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore have led you with goodness.”
It may be rendered, “I have drawn out”, or “extended, lovingkindness to thee” F9; see ( Psalms 36:10 ) .
Hope this helps. You may also want to do a search online. One of my favorite sites is biblestudytools.com.
Blessings,
Melanie
Gita Rex · 12/01/2017 at 1:43 PM
Thank You kindly for this encouraging prayer and declaration of Jeremiah 29: 11. It felt so good repeating this prayer into the atmosphere while trusting that God is Faithful to His Word. God bless you.
Betsy de Cruz · 09/30/2017 at 5:45 AM
I love the way you unpack this verse and make it so much more meaningful, while teaching us more about prayer. Thankyou. <3
helloredds@gmail.com · 09/30/2017 at 8:27 AM
Hey, Betsy,
Thank you for stopping by to leave a kind word today.
Don’t you love how practical God’s Word is and how easy it is to use it to pray?
I’m blessed by you~
Melanie
Amelia · 09/24/2017 at 7:52 PM
I love this scripture and there is so much to grasp from this. Thank you so much for this post. I’m going to save it. I’ve read it over two times. I made a note as I read it the first time and when I went back again I added to my list a number of things. Thanks so much for these encouraging words.
helloredds@gmail.com · 09/25/2017 at 5:13 PM
Thank you, Amelia! Sure do appreciate you.
Missed you yesterday~
Melanie