I keep asking...why ain't I receiving??

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
11 “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.”

Oh, this verse. How I love this verse. Such a promise. You know what, though? It is one of the most misquoted, most tattooed, bible verses. Wait? What? Misquoted? Yes, misquoted. 
Now stay with me here, because I LOVE this verse. There is a huge reason I love this verse. This promise to Israel is beautiful. So full of hope. But, it is always taken out of context. And there are two caveats to the promise. A past and a required action. 
You see, the Israelites were in exile in Babylon. In exile. And this promise was a promise for the FUTURE. So, to have a future we must have a past, right? Well, that past was 70 years. And then, there is a required action! Let’s look at the entire context:

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.11 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:10-14. (Emphasis mine).


Whoah. God says He has a future for Israel, but they must continue for now to endure hardship AND continue to call up on God. God hasn’t really changed in this respect! 


7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8).


So, we are to continue seeking God. Continue knocking on doors. Continue ASKING. Don’t give up. Keep on moving forward. God has a plan. He has a promise. 

What are you seeking that you feel like giving up on? Is it healing? Finances? A job? An addiction? A situation? 

Keep seeking. Keep praying for deliverance. God is always on time. You may feel like it’s a little late, but His timing is perfect.


“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thankful

Image
Ah, Fall.  🍁 A time of harvest, a time of reaping. A time of blessings. A time for family. A Time To Be Thankful.  I've been on Facebook for years now, and realize that I hardly know most of you. There are many I have lost touch with, and I wouldn't mind hearing about your story, about what YOU are THANKFUL for.  😊 As for me, I am most thankful for my Faith in God and my little Family. God has either used our circumstances or has altered our course over these past 14 years to le ad us where we are today. We've trusted him in the process, and sometimes we fought him. But in the end, HE knew better. (More to come on this later.) And our little family? Well, it's been the most special gift of all. Two children to love, and a husband that is pretty much amazing. I have a comedian, drum playing daughter, and a compassionate, violin playing, singing son. Neither of them are normal, and neither are their parents.  😂 My husband, James , is hardworking, has ...
Read more

God knows what's better for you

Image
Proverbs 3:5-6 King James Version (KJV) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version (NKJV) “5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall  [ a ] direct your paths.” (Footnote on direct: make smooth or straight.) Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT) “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” You are probably wondering why I have the same verse from Proverbs in three translations. Well, it’s pretty simple actually. My favorite verse of the bible just sounds best in the King James version. The language is beautiful.  But,  the New Living Translation really hits home for me. For m...
Read more

This cup and God's Strength

Luke 22:39-46  (NIV) Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives 39  Jesus went out as usual   to the Mount of Olives,   and his disciples followed him. 40  On reaching the place, he said to them,   “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”   41  He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down   and prayed,   42  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup   from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”   43  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. [ b ] 45  When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.   46  “Why are you sleeping?”   he asked them.   “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Emphasis added. So Jesus, our Savior, after having supper with the Apostles is on...
Read more