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 a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). This promise,  in the midst of a prophetic word to the exiles in Babylon (verse 1),  came with instructions on how to live until the time  the Lord would fulfill it (seventy years verse 10). The people had been sent into exile because of unfaithfulness. In many ways we,  the church,  are in exile in our own land for very much the same reason. In particular we have failed to be salt and light. There is corruption among those who name the name of Christ, and there's great disunity in the body. We have  also failed to engage the culture sitting in splendid isolation,  while at the same time being conformed to the world. And for this, we bear both individual and corporate responsibility.

From this morning's passage what Israel needed to do (and what we need to do if we are to claim the promise),  is to dwell in the land and do good (verse 5, 6; Psalm 37:3). They and we,  are to seek and pray for the peace of the place where we are planted, for it is “in its peace you will have peace” (verse 7). And in case we feel the Lord has abandoned us, we are to call on Him and pray to Him, for we will search for Him and find Him,  when we search for Him with all of our hearts (verses 12, 13).  2 Chronicles 7:14 shows us something of how to do this “if My people, who are called by My name,  will humble themselves and pray,  seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Specifically we need to pray identification repentance prayers, it is part of the humbling,  and it's entirely Biblical. As I said we  the Church need to take both individual and collective responsibility. Daniel shows us what identification repentance is, and how to do  it.  He set his face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes (Daniel 9:3). A small sample of what he prayed is “ “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.  Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets ....   O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day .... (verses 4-7).

Father, I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips,  for my eyes have glimpsed the King.  And we pray the above prayer with Daniel.  Thank You Lord that You keep covenant with those who keep Your commandments. In particular Lord,  many of Your promises require our obedience. We need to take up our cross daily and follow You. Thank You Lord that when we do, all the promises of God are yes and amen. Thank You Lord that You have plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a future and a hope. We worship You this morning Lord in Your precious Name Amen