Context Matters

One of my favourite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11 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.

The context of this promise is important to understand. The Lord spoke this promise through Jeremiah when the children of Israel were captives in Babylon. All the prophets at that time, except Jeremiah, were prophesying to the people that their captivity in Babylon was going to end soon. But the Lord spoke through Jeremiah that it was to be seventy years. His words to Jeremiah were that He was going to prosper them even though they were in exile. He instructed them to “build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there, do not decrease.” Jer. 19:5,6

In other words: "Have a prosperity outlook and mentality in spite of what is happening around you! And plan and live life accordingly."

This is the attitude we must have today. 

All the other prophets around Jeremiah couldn’t foresee God prospering the children of Israel under such harsh conditions. This way of thinking can be true of us today. We may hear economic reports or news and worry about how it will affect us, but we can stand on God’s good promises for us. In fact, we are standing on Jesus the Rock, even if there is a storm around us. 

This week at Intercession, one of us saw an image of us standing on The Rock that is Jesus. This is reflected in the song Firm Foundation:

Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I've never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
'Cause He's never let me down
He's faithful through generations
So why would He fail now?
He won't
On Christ, the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Amen!