God’s plans for His people are so good—and they haven’t changed since the beginning of time.
The Lord really reinforced that for me this week as I’ve been reading through Jeremiah. Israel had strayed. Their hearts were cold. Their leaders were wicked.
Judgment was coming—and it was deserved.
The culture was a mess. Idolatry was everywhere. Sin was out in the open. And soon, the people would be carried away to Babylon.
BUT GOD. Wow—He is so wonderful!
Even in judgment, God gave His people hope. In Jeremiah 29, we find some of the most familiar and cherished promises in all of Scripture:
“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. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:11–13)
God’s plans for His people were still good—even though there would be a season of refining to get there.
What struck me this time was not just the promise, but the instructions that came just before it—God’s blueprint for how His people could thrive in exile while they waited for restoration:
“Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become fathers of sons and daughters… multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” (Jer. 29:5–7)
God’s plan for His people to live with excellence—even in hard times—centered around the family.
From the beginning of creation, God’s design for His people has revolved around this vital unit: one man, one woman, and their children growing together in faith and obedience. It’s no surprise, then, that in every generation, the enemy tries to dismantle the family and distract us from our God-given mission.
But in His goodness, God gives us simple, timeless instructions. Build homes. Marry. Have children. Raise them to follow Him. Pray for your community. Be faithful.
And today? That mission still stands.
We don’t need to be consumed with fear about what’s ahead—we’ve been clearly told where to focus. And we can rest in the confidence that Jesus is coming again, and those who have called on Him will be with Him forever.
Is there a better future and hope than that?
So, as we walk through a world that seems darker by the day, let’s live as God’s people have always been called to live. Let’s focus on strengthening our marriages.
Let’s raise our children well and prepare them to launch with confidence, truth, and a faith that’s their own. Let’s support them as they step into adulthood and continue to guide and disciple them along the way. Let’s build strong communities that shine the light of Jesus.
Let’s grow together, making a difference as we go.
That’s how we’ll live with excellence this year—and in all the years to come.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU HOMESCHOOL MISSIONALLY
- Faith That Sticks: 5 Real Life Ways To Disciple You Preteen. Leslie is joined by her co-author and friend Tricia Goyer to talk about their new book designed to equip parents to disciple and parent their preteens well. Listen to their conversation here and get your copy of Faith That Sticks now.
- Pick up a copy of the Faith That Sticks here. In Faith That Sticks, Tricia Goyer and Leslie Nunnery share five real-life discipleship building blocks for raising preteens. The book’s five key areas—prayer, Bible reading, family relationships, conversation, and service—provide a clear roadmap for parents who feel overwhelmed or unequipped. Using personal stories and examples, Tricia and Leslie’s relatable experiences acknowledge that while the journey isn’t always easy, it’s always worth it. They offer creative and practical ideas and activities that parents, caregivers, or mentors can implement in each of the five key areas, helping them feel more confident in their spiritual roles.
- Download the Homeschool Family Favorites Guide–Discover the Newly Updated and Comprehensive Homeschool Curriculum Guide created by Teach Them Diligently in partnership with World Magazine Tap into the wisdom of thousands of Christian homeschool families who’ve already found what works—and what doesn’t. Find exactly what you need with 36 carefully curated categories, organized by subject and grade level from PreK to high school. Skip months of research with side-by-side comparisons of over 30 proven curricula options per category
