Its amazing how reading one thing about the Bible makes you think of other things in the Bible. Often they appear to be unrelated until you uncover the mystery within. No matter what you are reading or studying in the Bible, God has a way of speaking to your heart and reminding you of a promise, reminding you that all is well. I just Love that about Him.

While reading The New American Commentary on the Book of Matthew, I came across Matthew 8:20 where Jesus tells the scribe that wants to follow him “ Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

The commentary explains that Jesus knew the scribe did not understand the commitment it would take to follow him. Jesus had a home in Capernaum but he was rarely there. Besides, on a deeper level, the followers of Jesus know that this earth is only a temporary home.  Our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil 3:20). The commentary goes on to say that we are sojourners (exiles) in this world. (1 Peter 1:1).

So, reading of being an exile made me think of one of my favorite passages,  Jeremiah 29:11-14. So many of us read Jeremiah 29:11 and stop. We even have it etched on our hearts.But the three verses that follow just make 29:11 pop! They bring pure joy to my heart! They gave me a peace that I never thought possible. Three times in these four verses it says “Declares the LORD”.  That makes what is written so powerful.  God never breaks a promise! NEVER.

Read these verses, memorize them,  and find the peace that comes from them.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ 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.

¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.^[a] 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.”