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<v SPEAKER_00>You've probably seen this verse on a wall plaque or maybe in a Christian book score.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Maybe it's tattooed on someone's wrist or quoted at graduations.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jeremiah 29, 11.

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<v SPEAKER_00>For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Plans to give you hope and a future.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A lot of times we hear this verse used in an effort to say something like, if you follow God, your life will go well.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You'll succeed, you'll prosper.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But what if I told you Jeremiah 29, 11 may not mean exactly what you think it means?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let's talk about it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>First, we have to ask a basic question.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Who was this written to?

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<v SPEAKER_00>This verse comes from Jeremiah, and it was written to Israel during one of the darkest seasons in their history.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Israel had turned away from God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>At this moment, they had corrupt leaders, they were worshiping false gods, they were practicing sexual immorality and idolatry.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God had warned them again and again, and finally judgment came.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Through Jeremiah, God tells them they're about to be taken into captivity in Babylon for 70 years.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not days, not months, 70 years.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They would live as exiles, many would suffer, many would die, and most of the people hearing Jeremiah's words would never live long enough to see freedom.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the setting of Jeremiah 29.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In fact, Jeremiah 29 is literally a letter sent to people already in exile, telling them to build homes, plant gardens, raise families, and settle in because they were going to be there for a while.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And then God says, For I know the plans I have for you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Here's something important.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This promise was given specifically to Israel.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It wasn't meant as a general motivational quote for every life situation.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And here's the second thing: most of the people who first heard the promise would never see it fulfilled.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because of age or the harsh reality of captivity, they would actually die in Babylon.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This problem was mainly for future generations.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Children born in exile who would one day return home.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So Jeremiah 29, 11 did not promise the immediate physical comfort we often seek to find in it for every person it was written to.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What does it instead do?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Well, it gives comfort.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But comfort in the faithfulness of God to keep his promises and ultimately provide his people.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God is saying, even though you're suffering, even though you're disciplined, I haven't abandoned you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And when God says prosper, he's not talking about wealth or success.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He's talking about restoration.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He's talking about bringing his people back to himself.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So what does this mean for us today?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Here's where it gets beautiful.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Scripture tells us that as believers, we are also exiles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>First Peter says we are strangers and sojourners in this world.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Hebrews reminds us that we are waiting for a better country, a heavenly one.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This world is not our home.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If you are in Christ, all of God's promises belong to you, not because of your faithfulness, but because of God's.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Our hope isn't earthly prosperity.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Our hope is resurrection.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Our future isn't comfort now, our future is glory later.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Just like Israel and Babylon, we live in a broken world while holding on to our promise.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But our promise is even greater.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus is coming back.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sin will be destroyed, suffering will end, and God will dwell with his people forever.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So Jeremiah 29, 11 isn't directly to us, but it is indirectly for us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We are God's people, and it teaches us about God's character and care for us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God is sovereign over suffering.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God keeps his covenant promises.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God's plans cannot fail.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And God will bring his people home.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not simply to an earthly, temporary Jerusalem, but to a heavenly, eternal new Jerusalem.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So you're not guaranteed prosperity, you're promised eternity.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the plan he has for you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Plans not for your destruction, but for a heavenly home, the new Jerusalem.