We now come to one of the most popular verses in the Bible, and one that has unfortunately become both a commonly-used Christian cliché and a misused verse to promote false ideas of many types.

Does God have good plans to prosper and not to harm his people, to give his people a hope and future? That question should be answered with a resounding "YES AND AMEN!" However, we must remember the context. That was a promise given to a specific people at a specific point in time. God was speaking to the nation of Judah that was in Babylonian captivity; he wasn't speaking to you and me. But while every verse in Scripture has an immediate context and meaning, we can, with great wisdom and proper interpretation, glean some general truths and points of application to apply to us today.

For starters, let's consider the fact that God was seeking to reassure and encourage a people who were to remain in foreign captivity for a fixed period of time (70 years), but not to lose hope because God alone is faithful to his promises. Far too often we seek to escape our current pains and trials and seek greener pasture, and we'll cite this reason - because God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us; to give us a hope and a future. He wouldn't want me to remain in my suffering! Or would He?

You see, the faithfulness of God's plans and promises isn't intended to relieve us of current suffering, but to give us proper perspective in the midst of suffering. God's timing is just that - it’s HIS timing. And when we seek to undermine that, we fall into all kinds of trouble. One false prophet who sought to thwart and contradict God's plans and timing was eventually struck dead, while another was promised to never see the blessings of God come to fruition.

The plans and promises of God aren't intended to expediate the length or lessen the extent of our suffering, but to remind us to seek the Lord even more diligently in the midst of our suffering. God promised to bring His people home at the end of the 70 years of captivity. And yet, the people of Judah needed to learn certain lessons during that time, which would then prepare them for what was to come next. But when we hurry the process, because we're uncomfortable and in pain, we not only forsake the lessons to be learned, but we might even forego experiencing the promises of God in their full.

This Advent, resist the temptation to escape suffering, but press into the suffering, and consider the refinement that God will bring through your suffering (Isaiah 48:10). The promise of the second-coming of Christ is meant to provide us with a heavenward perspective, which is designed to give us great joy and peace, reminding us to trust in God's plans and promises to complete the good work that He has begun in all our lives (Philippians 1:6).