Devotional: God’s Judgment for Our Good

Read: Jeremiah 29:1-14

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope’” (Jer. 29:11, NASB).

No one wants to be judged. When we are judged our worst qualities are emphasized, and in many cases they are exaggerated. We hurt when evil has been spoken about us. When people judge us, often their intentions are to bring harm and destruction upon us. This is not the purpose of God’s judgment.

The prophet Jeremiah writes to exiles in Babylon to encourage them to make for themselves the best possible life while in Babylon. In Babylon there were false prophets who were telling the exiles that they would be in Babylon for only two years. God’s plan was for the exiles to be in Babylon for seventy years. God does not have plans to destroy His people when He executes His judgment. Rather, God’s plan is to make things right for our good. After seventy years the exiles will seek the Lord and find Him. God will bring His people back to their homeland and they will no longer worship idols. Instead, they will obey God’s commands and worship Him only.

Father, we thank you because you love us. Your love is the reason that you judge us; so that we will return to you and worship you only. Your purpose is that our relationship with you will be set right. Amen!