For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord. For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:8-11 KJV

In my Bible reading this morning in the Old Testament Book of Jeremiah, in a popular passage of scripture, I started Thinking Out Loud:

This chapter opens with the Prophet Jeremiah writing a letter to the remaining elders and people of the Nation of Israel, who have been brought into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar. The Nation of Israel had been warned in numerous passages and books of the Bible that they would go into bondage if they didn’t turn from following after false gods and cease practicing the idolatry of the heathen nations around them.

GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES!

In today’s society there are many like-minded false prophets, diviners, and dreamers selling people a lie that “God is about to open windows of heaven – pour out blessings – turn everything around for our good – restore what the locust have eaten … etc. etc. etc.”

We all need encouragement from time to time of knowing God sees and hears our cries/prayers. But present truth gleaned from an old Bible book is an inspiration that reminds us of the truths of God’s wrath and chastisement toward disobedience.

Today’s verses, when viewed as a spiritual application versus a physical application, strip away the LIE of material prosperity being peddled in many ways from many sources. While God doesn’t mind giving good things to his children, he’s more concerned with his children gaining the spiritual WEALTH of understanding AND application of his biblical truth and principles.

A closer truth for what God is telling the WHOLE WORLD today is that we’re in captivity to the false gods of this world — practicing their idolatries — instead of setting our affections on our Savior who is sounding the REVELLY (time for the soldiers to rise) in preparation for his return. The warnings are being sounded by those with understanding of the times we’re in and the tribulations that have been promised to come!

• These are the “thoughts” he also thinks toward his New Testament children.
• These are the thoughts designed for His children of today — to give us PEACE and the knowledge of AN EXPECTED END.
• Oh, that we would praise him for deliverance from the trials and tribulations to come.
• Oh, that we would praise him for his thoughts toward us to deliver us from the captivity to the world!!

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12-13