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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to 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 will bring you back from captivity. 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.”
- Jeremiah 29:11-14
 
This is what we want to hear from the Lord … kind of. He has plans for us. They’re good plans. They’re plans to prosper us. They’re plans that involve relationship and intimacy with him. Bring it on, Lord!
 
And yet, this passage was sent to a people living in captivity. Their daily experience would be Exhibit A against this testimony. The Lord challenged them to believe in his character and intentions despite the evidence of their exile. Could you have done it?
 
We have an advantage they didn’t quite have. They could look back into their ancestral history and find stories of God’s provision, rescue, and faithfulness. We can look back and see Jesus – God himself. What does Jesus tell us about God’s character and intentions?
 
First, he shows us how serious God took his commitment to rescue his people. He cared enough about it to suffer for it and to sacrifice for it. He experienced banishment and exile – captivity to death – that we might receive life.
 
Second, Jesus shows us the generosity of God’s redemptive intention. He doesn’t just rescue his historic people; he includes Gentiles as well. He loops prostitutes together with patriarchs and sits them all at the table together to live life in a new family. He doesn’t just gather God’s people from among the nations, he gathers the nations themselves.
 
Finally, he demonstrates God’s desire to be found by all who seek him. God in the flesh dwelled among us. He was available. He stooped to our level and embraced our frailty, endowing us with immeasurable honor. Our God became our brother. And he sends his Spirit to dwell within us that we might never be far from him.
 
Take some time today to worship Jesus. Thank him for his good plans for you and the way he’s demonstrated his intentions for you through his death, redemption, and presence.