How do I know which promises are for me?
I have posted Bible promises all around my home and in my office at work. They can be found on picture frames, artwork, fridge magnets, and calendars.
There are thousands of promises in the Bible. My favorites include Proverbs 3:5–6, and Philippians 4:6–7:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5–6, NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7, NIV)
But there are some promises that I’ve wondered about whether they apply to me. For example, I’ve heard many people quote 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.’ (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
I’ve learned that in reading the Bible we should not pluck out one sentence, but read it in context. What is happening? Who is involved? Is it intended for an individual, a group, or a nation? Is the promise tied to a civil, ceremonial, or moral law? Is it for a particular time or place? Has the promise already been fulfilled in the past or is it about the future? Is it tied to a condition? Studying the specific verse involves investigating the surrounding Scripture.
Jeremiah 29:11 is a beautiful promise. This was written in a letter from the prophet Jeremiah in Jerusalem to the captives in Babylon. Although it was a judgment on their nation and would last a long time, God was telling the exiles that He had not abandoned them and their captivity would come to an end. In the meantime, they should settle into this new area, make the best of it, and pray for their enemies.
As such, this was a specific promise to a certain group at a fixed time. The precise situation and circumstance in the Bible was very different from our 21st-century lives. The laws were different, the customs different, and the people different, but God remained the same. When we look to His promises, we need to focus on God’s character. What can we learn about God?
From this promise in Jeremiah, we can know that God thinks about us. His thoughts are on His children. He’s involved and His plans are for a hopeful end for us.
Although we, too, may come into situations and difficult circumstances that can’t be changed, from the promise in Jeremiah, we can glean the importance of working at living within these circumstances and finding joy in our situations.
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His character does not change. God is love. He is just. He is forgiving. He is compassionate. He is merciful. He is faithful.
God’s promises are recorded throughout Scripture. We are invited to study them, believe in them, and claim them for ourselves.