Don’t take my promises!

What gets you through a boring or tough day?

I like to look forward to a yummy meal or a fun time out. Maybe a vacation, or a project with one of my kids.

But some days nothing gets me through except for clinging to promises like the one found in the Bible, in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11:

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Several months ago this promise came up in conversation with a friend (I don’t remember how). His response was that it is funny how everyone claims that promise when it is not one that we can use anymore. Why? Because it is an Old Testament promise to the Jews, and since Jesus came, none of those are in effect any longer.

I had to agree that Jesus did change a lot with the New Testament, Jeremiah is definitely in the Old Testament, and I was not born a Jew, but something didn’t seem quite right with my friends’ comment. However it was made off-handedly at the start of a social function, so I had little time to ponder it. And with the buzz of the holidays, it was pushed from my mind.

Last week, I was found to be in need of that promise at the end of a particularly mundane day, and wondered, can I really claim it?

Then I remembered what the Bible says about me being grafted into all of the promises given to the Jews since I have become part of God’s family by trusting in Jesus death and resurrection. The Bible also says that Jesus came to fulfill all of the Old Testament promises, not to get rid of them. Therefore, the promise in Jeremiah that God is for me and has good things for me still stands.

Thanks, God, for not letting anyone take your promises away from us!

What’s one of your favorite promises in the Bible?