TODAY’S DAILY BIBLE VERSE: Suffering Lasts for only a Season

May 20, 2025

Jeremiah 29:11
“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.”

Verse Context

This verse was written by the prophet Jeremiah to the exiled Jews in Babylon. Though they were suffering in captivity, far from their homeland and grieving the loss of everything familiar, God sent them this message to remind them that their exile was not the end of the story. The Lord declared, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you.” The word “thoughts” here can also mean plans, intentions, or purposes. God was revealing that even while they were in punishment for sin, He had not abandoned them.

The phrase “to give you an expected end” literally means a future and a hope. This wasn’t a shallow motivational slogan, it was a promise from the covenant-keeping God who disciplines with purpose and restores with power. The broader message of Jeremiah 29 includes a warning not to listen to false prophets who offered false hope. Instead, God called His people to seek Him, pray, and wait on His timing (see Jeremiah 29:12–14).

Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Presbyterian) commented that God’s thoughts toward His people are “thoughts of peace, not of evil.” Even when affliction seems harsh, God’s plan is peace, not destruction. He waits to be gracious, and every hard season has an appointed end in His sovereign design.

Albert Barnes (1798–1870, Presbyterian) adds that “an expected end” means more than just deliverance, it means a hoped-for outcome, the very thing we dare not dream of until God says it aloud. He intends good, even when the way seems long.

Broader Context

Jeremiah 29 is a letter to the captives, those who had been taken from Judah to Babylon after the first waves of conquest. Many were discouraged, unsure if they would ever return to Jerusalem. False prophets were rising up, giving empty words that their time in Babylon would be short. But the true word from God was different: they would be there for seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10), and then, only then, would God bring them back.

The entire book of Jeremiah balances warning and hope. Jeremiah himself was hated for his honesty because he didn’t sugarcoat God’s message. But here, in the middle of hard truth, comes one of the most comforting verses in Scripture. Not because it promises instant rescue, but because it promises real hope, rooted in God’s sovereignty. The book of Jeremiah assures us that even in judgment, God’s mercy is present, and His purpose is always redemptive.

Application

Appreciating God’s Greatness

This verse shows us that God is not a passive observer of our lives. He is actively thinking, planning, and working for our future, even when we can’t see the path ahead. It reveals a God who is not reactive, but sovereign and intentional. He doesn’t just respond to what happens, He ordains what happens for a holy and hopeful end.

For the Believer

Life doesn’t always make sense in the short term. Sometimes it feels like God is silent, or like we’re stuck in a season that doesn’t match the promises we’ve read. But this verse reminds us that even in the long seasons, God is still faithful. He’s not waiting to decide what to do with us, He already knows the end He’s bringing us to.

Call to Action:
If you’re feeling confused about your purpose, overwhelmed by waiting, or frustrated by slow progress, go to the Lord in prayer. Like the captives in Babylon, pray honestly, seek Him diligently, and trust that God has not forgotten you. Even His delays are part of your development. Trust the end He has planned.

For the Unbeliever

You may wonder if God has any plan for someone like you. This verse answers with a resounding yes. Even though Israel was in exile because of sin, God still pursued them. If you feel like you’ve wandered too far, this verse invites you back. God’s plan for you starts with repentance and leads to hope, not because you’re worthy, but because He is merciful.

Final Encouragement

When it feels like your life is stalled or sidetracked, remember this: God knows exactly where you are, and exactly where He’s taking you. His plans are not vague or reactionary, they are filled with peace, not destruction. And even if the road takes longer than you expected, He is leading you toward an end that is worth waiting for.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing the plans You have for us, even when we do not. In our moments of doubt, fear, or discouragement, remind us that we are not forgotten. Help us to trust that Your timing is perfect, Your discipline is loving, and Your promises are sure. Strengthen us to wait with hope and walk with faith, believing that You are always working for our good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

You are loved—so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.

Shalom Shalom.