Daily Bible Verse - 12/31/2007 - Jeremiah 29:11

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.

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.

'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.

Jeremiah 29:11

Commentary
Verse 11 is a powerful promise to claim when you are "in exile." God thinks about you personally and is planning for you. His plans are for peace, not war, so you need not fear the future. His plans are purposeful, so let Him work out His will. No matter how difficult your situation may be, do not waste your suffering by resisting God.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Je 29:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?
Jer-emiah was speaking to the people of Judah in a time of national disaster. The Babylonians were about to take Jerusalem and destroy the holy city. The people who heard Jeremiah's words would soon be carried from their homeland and resettled in pagan Babylon. Yet through Jeremiah, God promised that one day the Jews would return to their homeland. The national disaster was not a sign that God had abandoned them, nor should His present discipline make them give up hope. Instead, the people of Judah could take comfort in the fact that God planned to do them good. In spite of the present distress, in God they had hope and a future.

Richards, L. (1998). Every promise in the Bible. Includes indexes. (86). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Daily Bible Verse - 12/30/2007 - Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

Isaiah 9:2

Commentary
The district of Galilee, located in the hill country of Zebulun and Naphtali, was inhabited by a mixed population of Israelites and heathen. Years after Joshua led the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan, Canaanites still inhabited the region (Judg. 1:30-33; 4:2). Galilee was also situated on a major trade route, which brought foreigners to the area. Thus it came to be frowned upon as "Galilee of the Gentiles" (9:1).
Yet God promised to send a "great light" on these "people who walked in darkness" (9:2). Who was this Light, who came for both Gentiles and Israelites? According to the Gospel of Matthew, it was Jesus Christ: "When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee .. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah" (Matt. 4:12-17).
Jesus is the Light that God sent even to the Gentiles, the expression of His love for the whole world.

Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Is 9:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.