The word “and” is generally used as a connector for other words and phrases or to mean that something is being added to something else already existing.

For example, you can say, “For your birthday, we’re having cake and ice cream.”  You were already having the cake (existing) and then added ice cream.  Or, when you think of the word “and” as a connector to other words or phrases, it’s something like this, “Today, we’re going shopping and we plan to shop at the mall, Hobby Lobby and Home Goods.”

I promise, I am going somewhere with this…this isn’t an English lesson! 🙂

But have you ever thought about how the word “and” is used in Scripture?  Let me shed some light on what I mean by this.  I was in a Bible study class the other night and we were talking about scriptures we like.  Most people like verses that “speak” to them or to a certain situation they may be going through.  But we also  like to “cherry pick” the part we like the most, usually leaving out some of the meaning.

Take, for example, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This is a very popular scripture.  It’s often quoted on journal covers, Facebook pages, tattoos, shirts, jewelry…you get the picture.  It’s used just about anywhere and everywhere. And it’s a great scripture; I like it just as much as anyone else.  But when we focus on just this part and don’t look at what comes before or after it, we’re only getting part of the meaning.

Here’s the full passage, including the before and after:

“¹⁰This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹For 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. ¹²Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.  ¹⁴I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. 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.” (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

See, the Lord told His people that He had a great plan for them and that He was going to do wonderful things for them.  But first, they had to endure the struggle.  And that’s where we get caught up…we want the great and wonderful things, but we don’t want to endure the hardships that lead to the wonderful things.  We want the great plan, the financial blessing, and the hope for a wonderful future.  We don’t want the struggle, the hard times, or the bleak financial picture we’re facing.  We want to take the bad stuff and sweep it under the rug, or hide under our covers until it’s finished. But that isn’t at all what God has planned for us.

What we have to remember are the promises God has given us that help us through the tough times to get to the great and wonderful plan.  Here are some examples:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

“For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.” (Lamentations 3:31)

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

When we struggle, it doesn’t mean God has forgotten about us or doesn’t like us anymore.  He puts us through trials to teach us, or to show us something we’re not seeing or learning on our own.  When we go through the tough times, we have to remember there is another side to it; there is light at the end of our dark, treacherous and ongoing tunnel.  We might not be able to see what’s coming ahead of us, but God does.  But in order to fully grasp and enjoy the plan, we have to endure the hard stuff.

Let’s look at Jeremiah 29:10-14 once more.

Verse 10: This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.

Verse 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.

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

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

Verse 14: I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. 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.

God is telling His people EXACTLY what He will do FOR them.  When they do this, He will do that…in each line of that passage.  God is FOR US.  He is not against us…EVER!

Reading, learning and quoting Scripture is a good thing; just remember to read it all, to understand the full context of what God is telling us. God does know the plans He has for us and He will see each and every one of His promises fulfilled in our lives. Rest in that.