Door Frame Scriptures: Living in God's Promise

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

When my son was five years old, he had a penny jar. It was filled to the rim and he called it his “treasure.” It sat on his nightstand and he proudly displayed it to all of his friends. He was rich!

Our home was next to a neighborhood clubhouse and playground. My son and his friend would often play there. One day they made the mistake of throwing rocks at the clubhouse windows and broke one. Sheepishly, he told me what he had done and waited for his punishment. I told him he had to take his penny jar to the HOA president and pay for the window. “Not my treasure!” he cried. My heart broke as I watched him carry his most prized possession to the neighbor and give it away. To him it was like giving away a million dollars! I knew in reality it was less than ten dollars, but to a five year old boy, the concept of money was beyond his comprehension. There was no consoling him but, as his parent, I knew this was a valuable lesson that would help shape him into the man God needed him to be one day.

Jeremiah wrote these words to the Jews when they were in captivity under Egypt and Babylonia. They were taken from their homes to live in a foreign country. The Jewish people were looking for immediate relief and freedom. However, that would not be the case. God promises them He has a plan to prosper them even in their oppressive situation. As our Father, God promises us plans of prosperity and hope. God proclaims through Jeremiah that “when you call on me and come and pray to me…I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” (Jeremiah 19:12-13)

Like a five year old, we are unable to comprehend what the future holds for us. Even if God were to reveal it to us, we would most likely not understand. We want immediate relief from hardship and suffering. We want that worthless jar of pennies!  

My son is an adult now - a hard-working, God fearing man of integrity who is raising a family of his own. He probably doesn’t remember that jar of pennies anymore, nor that small moment of time when he thought his life was falling apart. However, he can rest assured in God’s word and promises to his own children. God is where the peace is.