Have you ever wanted to memorize verses, but not known where to start? We all know John 3:16 (Part 1), but where do we go after that. I’m using a list from Bible Gateway to guide us through the top 100 verses!
This is the second part in the series. And our verse for this week is: Jer 29:11-13:
“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. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Why is this verse number 2 on the list? Probably in large part because we all want to know that there is a plan for us. We all want to know that we’re not just fighting and struggling for nothing.
But there’s more to it than that. This verse is tucked into a passage of hope. While living in the midst of much persecution and turmoil, the Lord speaks through the prophet in a hopeful and uplifting way.
We find messages like this in this passage:
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
“Marry and have sons and daughters; 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.
“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
What we find, is that God had and has a plan. The point though, is not the plan. The point is God. The point is, we should be seeking the Lord and not the plan. That’s why we can’t stop with just 29:11.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
So, when you memorize this verse, don’t just memorize verse 11. Remember verse 12 and 13 too. The Lord does have a plan for us, to prosper us and not to harm us. But prosperity comes through seeking the Lord. Call upon the Lord, pray to Him, Seek Him. That’s where we find him!
What’s your favorite part of this verse?
How has this verse encouraged you in your walk?
