He Also Promises to Bring You Home

I am such a context person. Whether it’s “so-and-so said this” or searching through Scriptures, it is such an important element to maintaining truth.

Most of us have heard and can probably quote Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you….”

Ok. Well, most of us can probably quote it that far at least.

While this is admirable and so very true, we lose so much when we don’t understand the history and the setting and the context.

(Maybe your English professor was right—Thanks, Mrs. Tustin and Dr. Meyers.)

If you look at that Scripture in context, this is what it looks like.

“The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.”

Understand that Babylon was exile.
It was not home.
It was not where their hearts were.

And God said the equivalent of you will be there…

(Might sound familiar to where you are or have been at some point, huh?)

Then God says “No worries. I got your back. I’m going to take care of you.”

We like that part. So we say it- over and over and over, we say it.
We put it on T-shirts and mugs and posters and pens and mints (probably…)
WHICH IS GOOD, don’t get me wrong.

I don’t know how many times I didn’t drop out of college because of that Scripture.

But the thing that I also had in common with the Israelites—I was sent to the very place that was eating my lunch—by God.

Sometimes we are sent to a place (geographically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually, intellectually…) that seems like exile. It isn’t home. It isn’t fun. It’s lonely. It isn’t where you want to be. And it may not be where you heart is.

(Med school, anyone?)

Maybe you have a dream to do something big or exciting—but you are stuck counting beans or feeding pigs or sitting behind a desk or going to lectures instead.

There is a reason.

God has a plan. God has a purpose.

There are people that you need to reach. There are things you need to learn.

And while it may seem like your allotted time is forever and a day—He also promises to bring you home.