Right now, if we were to hand you a perfectly wrapped gift, what would you do with it?
Would you survey the surface–honing in on the crisp wrapping paper edges and the silky soft bow? Would you shake the box, vying for a guess of what’s inside like a kid on Christmas morning?
We doubt you’d be content with seeing the container the gift comes in, but wouldn’t you rather unravel the bow, peel back the packaging and see what was really inside?
What if we do this same thing with scripture? It may decorate our nightstands, hold sacred shelf space or come with us every Sunday morning and yet, we may not know what is really inside. Let’s change that.
Summary
A Guide to Get Started
As we open scripture today, we need to identify some guardrails that will help us traverse the text. It’s these guardrails that not only grow our comprehension of what we read, but help us be captivated by it.
1. Ask, “What does this text really mean?”
Esther 4:14 may inspire you to trust that God made you for the moment you are in, but it was spoken to Esther from Mordecai, amidst great unrest against the Jewish people.
Joshua 1:9 may instill courage into your heart as you walk into the interview where you need to perform your best, but it was an encouragement from the Lord, for Joshua as he was given the mantle to lead God’s people to inherit the land promised to them.
Romans 8:28 may remind you that God is at work in the midst of it all, but it was written to Jew and Gentile believers at the Church in Rome to help them understand the true Gospel.
Ruth 1:16 may bind your heart in loyalty to another, but it was said by a widowed girl named Ruth, placing a fervent trust in her mother in law in the midst of great heart ache.
While encouraging to the many different trials we may face, these verses were not written to us in our specific circumstances. The truth is that scripture is applicable to all people in all circumstances, regardless of socioeconomic class, geographical location or status, but the text only means one thing. And the specific reason it was written needs to inform how we can apply it to our lives.
Look to our second guardrail.
2. Ask “How can I apply what I read?”
While these scriptures weren’t written to us, they were still written for us. Think back to what we read in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and Hebrews 4:12.
With the scripture you are reading in mind, use the acronym below to apply what you have read:
S – Sin to Avoid
P – Prayer to Repeat
E – Example to Follow
C – Command to Obey
S – Scripture to Memorize
Is there a
sin
to avoid? Is there a
prayer
to repeat? Is there an
example
to follow? Is there a
command
to obey? Is there
scripture
to memorize? The Word that we behold is for us to know and apply.
With these guardrails in mind, let’s take a look at our first passage together.
Don’t Forget the Plan
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
When we open chapter 29:1, Jeremiah is writing to exiles with a message from the Lord. He says, “These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.”
At face value, this chapter begins with a problem: God’s people are in exile. Yet, as we continue the text, we see a promise come into view. Read verses 11-14:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”
What do we see? There’s a problem, but God has a plan.
The truth is: God’s plans don’t start when things are good and end when they go south.
The diagnosis that you didn’t see coming. The “no” you never expected. The break up that left you reeling. The friend who walked away. Even in the pain of these moments, you’re not alone. After all, the exile Jeremiah writes about was as much a part of God's plan as the restoration was.
How do we know that? We look at the entire story.
The same exile we read about in Jeremiah is written in the largely prophetic book of Daniel. Look at what it says in Daniel 9, verses 2-4:
“In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.”
What do we see here? God’s people would be exiles in Babylon for 70 years. Away from the lives they once knew, they found themselves displaced in a foreign land. But remember the promise we read earlier?
“I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:14)
Those 70 years were not a waste, they would be used by God to turn His people back to Himself.
Will God really work this all for good?
Is there really a plan for me?
What do I do when I don’t know it?
How do I respond when nothing is going as it should?
We trust His promises to come.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
Romans 8:28-30
Be encouraged: God works all things together for the good of those who are in Christ. Take these truths to heart:
God is at work.
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, and covers us in prayer.
God didn’t spare anything for us, including His own son, and who He gave up for us.
God won’t allow anything to separate us from Him.
The promise we can cling to in light of it all is a secure and promised eternity with Jesus.
So what do we learn from Jeremiah 29:11? The hardship that you are in the middle of when you break the glass for an emergency may actually be what God will use to bring you closer to himself, for you to see more of his fullness and to feel his comfort. He has a plan, and it includes you.
What's Next?
Heath emphasized the importance of understanding both the interpretation and application of the scripture. Can you provide an example where you might have encountered a difference between the two in your own reading or experience?
What do you think about the idea that the text has one meaning but multiple applications? How does this change your approach to reading biblical texts?
How does knowing that it was addressed to the exiles in Babylon shape the way you perceive the verse?
Today touches on the character of God as shown through Jeremiah and other scriptures. What aspects of God’s character are highlighted, and how do they resonate with you personally?
Scripture References
14.But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15.and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16.All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17.so that the servant of God3:17 Or that you, a man of God, may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
12.For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
14.For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
9.Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
28.And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who have been called according to his purpose.
16.But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
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. 12.Then you will call on 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. 14.I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.29:14 Or will restore your fortunes I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
2.in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3.So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.4.I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
28.And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who have been called according to his purpose. 29.For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30.And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
10.For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
27.So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them;male and female he created them.
15.And I will put enmitybetween you and the woman,and between your offspring3:15 Or seed and hers;he will crush3:15 Or strike your head,and you will strike his heel.”
16.Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
1.As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2.in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3.All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit. and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4.But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5.made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6.And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7.in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8.For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9.not by works, so that no one can boast. 10.For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
3.You will keep in perfect peacethose whose minds are steadfast,because they trust in you.4.Trust in the Lord forever,for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
10.The ruined city lies desolate;the entrance to every house is barred.11.In the streets they cry out for wine;all joy turns to gloom,all joyful sounds are banished from the earth.12.The city is left in ruins,its gate is battered to pieces.13.So will it be on the earthand among the nations,as when an olive tree is beaten,or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest.
6.On this mountain the Lord Almighty will preparea feast of rich food for all peoples,a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.7.On this mountain he will destroythe shroud that enfolds all peoples,the sheet that covers all nations;8.he will swallow up death forever.The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tearsfrom all faces;he will remove his people’s disgracefrom all the earth.The Lord has spoken.9.In that day they will say,“Surely this is our God;we trusted in him, and he saved us.This is the Lord, we trusted in him;let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
6.Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
22.Cast your cares on the Lordand he will sustain you;he will never letthe righteous be shaken.
27.Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Psalm 3737 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.Of David.1.Do not fret because of those who are evilor be envious of those who do wrong;2.for like the grass they will soon wither,like green plants they will soon die away.3.Trust in the Lord and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.4.Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart.5.Commit your way to the Lord;trust in him and he will do this:6.He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,your vindication like the noonday sun.7.Be still before the Lordand wait patiently for him;do not fret when people succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes.8.Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;do not fret—it leads only to evil.9.For those who are evil will be destroyed,but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.10.A little while, and the wicked will be no more;though you look for them, they will not be found.11.But the meek will inherit the landand enjoy peace and prosperity.12.The wicked plot against the righteousand gnash their teeth at them;13.but the Lord laughs at the wicked,for he knows their day is coming.14.The wicked draw the swordand bend the bowto bring down the poor and needy,to slay those whose ways are upright.15.But their swords will pierce their own hearts,and their bows will be broken.16.Better the little that the righteous havethan the wealth of many wicked;17.for the power of the wicked will be broken,but the Lord upholds the righteous.18.The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,and their inheritance will endure forever.19.In times of disaster they will not wither;in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.20.But the wicked will perish:Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.21.The wicked borrow and do not repay,but the righteous give generously;22.those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,but those he curses will be destroyed.23.The Lord makes firm the stepsof the one who delights in him;24.though he may stumble, he will not fall,for the Lord upholds him with his hand.25.I was young and now I am old,yet I have never seen the righteous forsakenor their children begging bread.26.They are always generous and lend freely;their children will be a blessing.37:26 Or freely; / the names of their children will be used in blessings (see Gen. 48:20); or freely; / others will see that their children are blessed27.Turn from evil and do good;then you will dwell in the land forever.28.For the Lord loves the justand will not forsake his faithful ones.Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed37:28 See Septuagint; Hebrew They will be protected forever;the offspring of the wicked will perish.29.The righteous will inherit the landand dwell in it forever.30.The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,and their tongues speak what is just.31.The law of their God is in their hearts;their feet do not slip.32.The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,intent on putting them to death;33.but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wickedor let them be condemned when brought to trial.34.Hope in the Lordand keep his way.He will exalt you to inherit the land;when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.35.I have seen a wicked and ruthless manflourishing like a luxuriant native tree,36.but he soon passed away and was no more;though I looked for him, he could not be found.37.Consider the blameless, observe the upright;a future awaits those who seek peace.37:37 Or upright; / those who seek peace will have posterity38.But all sinners will be destroyed;there will be no future37:38 Or posterity for the wicked.39.The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;he is their stronghold in time of trouble.40.The Lord helps them and delivers them;he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,because they take refuge in him.
4.May he give you the desire of your heartand make all your plans succeed.
7.“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.8.For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
14.This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15.And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
2.“Meaningless! Meaningless!”says the Teacher.“Utterly meaningless!Everything is meaningless.”3.What do people gain from all their laborsat which they toil under the sun?
1.Blessed is the onewho does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners takeor sit in the company of mockers,2.but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.3.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
41.He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42.“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
97.Oh, how I love your law!I meditate on it all day long.98.Your commands are always with meand make me wiser than my enemies.99.I have more insight than all my teachers,for I meditate on your statutes.100.I have more understanding than the elders,for I obey your precepts.101.I have kept my feet from every evil pathso that I might obey your word.102.I have not departed from your laws,for you yourself have taught me.103.How sweet are your words to my taste,sweeter than honey to my mouth!104.I gain understanding from your precepts;therefore I hate every wrong path.
About the Contributor
Born from 20+ years of ministry, Passion Equip exists to empower a generation to live out their eternal purpose in the midst of everyday life, keeping the name and renown of Jesus as the desire of our souls. View more from the Contributor.