Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the greatest hope verses in the Bible.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

By itself, this verse is powerful, but when we consider the context of the verses surrounding Jeremiah 29:11, it becomes even more impactful. 

This hope verse is addressed to people who are in a place they do not choose to be in -  “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon” (vs 4). The Jews were displaced from their home. Their persistent sin had caused their protection to be compromised, and they ended up as captives in a foreign land. Regardless of whether we are in a place because of our failures or other reasons, God has a word of hope for us. 

The Lord says to build and move forward anyway - “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit”. (vs 5). We may be captive to financial bondage, family dysfunction, or unfulfilled dreams, but we are still empowered to build and invest in every way possible. 

We have grace to reproduce in disappointing seasons - “Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished” (verse 6). Don’t be afraid of bringing children into the world. Don’t stop evangelizing. Don’t stop discipling. Don’t stop raising up leaders. 

Commit to making every environment better that you are a part of - “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (vs 7). Be an improver. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Take ownership for the well-being of your neighborhood, city, workplace, school, church, and more. 

The message in Jeremiah 29 is to bloom where we are planted now. Those who believe they will bloom where they are planted will bloom where they are planted. 

God’s thoughts toward you are for a good future. It is full of hope. He has a good plan for you. This plan will continue to unfold as we purpose to bloom where we are planted right now. 

The podcast that goes with this is called “Build and Increase Anyway”. You can listen to it here or watch it here.