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

Today's Scripture Reading (August 26, 2026): Jeremiah 29

The darkest times in our lives are often those moments when we are tired because life has worn us out. In those moments, we are often too tired to think of what to do next. I remember several times in my life when that was true, and I have learned that when I am tired, those are not the best moments to make life-changing decisions. I admit it is tempting to make those decisions then; however, making life-shaping decisions while weary from life should be avoided whenever possible.

Babylon had defeated Israel. The best and the brightest had been taken away from the nation and held in captivity. It is not hard to imagine how tired the nation must have been. Life had changed, and they couldn't imagine how it would ever be the same again. And they were right; life had changed and the old times would never return.

This passage is part of the letter Jeremiah wrote from Jerusalem to those who had been taken away from their homes and forced to live in Babylon. It stressed that God still understood their situation. The best and the brightest no longer resided in the little stretch of land that God had promised to Abraham. Ezekiel, Daniel, and other important national leaders sat in a city that was not theirs, beside rivers they had never drunk from, and surrounded by a countryside they had never seen. And yet in the middle of all of this strangeness, God says, "Hey, I am still here. I am not only here, but I am still involved in your future. You may be ready to give up on yourself, but I am not ready to give up on you."

In the church, we tend to like this verse; however, I think we often miss the context. As God says, "For I know the plans I have for you," and while He speaks of a future and hope, He knows He is speaking to people who are tired and scared. The reality was that they weren't going home tomorrow. In fact, most of those who received this promise in Babylon would never see the Promised Land again.

Jeremiah is a dark prophet. He prophesied in a dark time about serious issues, but he knew that there was hope at the end of the tunnel. He also knew God would walk with his people through the darkness.

In our world, I can't promise that things will start getting better tomorrow. I am not sure it has anything to do with our political leaders. In fact, I believe most of what we are suffering through right now is due to our own selfishness and greed. Placing the blame on our political leaders is unfair when we are not willing to change the way we live. But I do know that no matter how dark it gets, God is still there in the midst of the tunnel with us.

And that he still has a plan!

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 30