Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you"-this is the LORD's declaration- "plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."- Jeremiah 29:11

One of the most misused/misapplied Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11. Jeremiah 29:11 states, "For I know the plans I have for you"- this is the LORD's declaration  "plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." The abuses to this verse are numerous; Jeremiah 29:11 is plastered onto coffee mugs, paintings, key chains and has been adopted by numerous individuals as their "life verse". This verse is especially popular around graduation time as numerous cards are produced with this verse encouraging graduates not to fear about the future but to realize God has great plans for them.

When reading any Bible verse we must remember that every verse has a context and was written to a particular people. In the case of Jeremiah 29:11, we must remember that chapter 29 was written to Judean exiles in Babylon. The purpose of this letter is to reassure these exiles that God hasn't abandoned them. In verse 10, God tells the exiles they will be in Babylon for seventy years before He will change the course of history and bring Judah back to their land. The Lord's words in 29:11 demonstrate his perfect control of Judah's history. He knows what he is doing and that his plans for Judah will bring peace, not misfortune. He is preparing a future full of hope for his people. The Lord seems to be saying that this suffering is not their ultimate fate. Through it, God is preparing something fundamentally different and pleasant for Judah and his people. In the midst of suffering God assures them that He hasn't forgotten them and has a plan for them.

When we use this verse and plaster it all over graduation cards, mugs, paintings and apply it to other non-devastating circumstances we rob the verse of it's power. Jeremiah 29:11 was given specifically to Israel, however, an application of this verse should be used to encourage individuals. The promise found in this verse should be clung to by all those in the midst of tremendous suffering and sorrow. In the midst of pain, we must remember, "God has plans for our welfare, not disaster, to give us a future and a hope." 

In conclusion, when we misuse Jeremiah 29:11 we rob the verse of it's power. The verse was originally given to Israel to bring hope in the midst of suffering and should be applied by those of us who are the New Israel to also provide hope and encouragement in the midst of suffering.