219. God looks upon us for Good
Jeremiah 24:6 For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
The immediate context of this promise applies to the people of Israel in Exile in Babylon. The Lord will bring them out of exile, in time, build them and plant them in the Land once again. This promise for Israel was fulfilled, and it continued until the time of Jesus. But in Jesus the spiritual aspect of this promise was fulfilled for all people.
The extension of the promise of bringing, building, and planting the people of God is explained and fulfilled in the New Testament through the Coming and the Event of Jesus Christ. “Repent, and believe the Gospel, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” The spiritual and eternal kingdom of God is the final and definitive promise of Land given to Abraham, Moses and David. God brings us into the Kingdom through the work of Jesus and by the working of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel of Christ. Not only does the Spirit bring us into the Kingdom through Word and Sacrament, but He also keeps us in it through the Gospel (He brings, builds and plants).
The wonderful promise that we can all take hold of by faith at all times, and especially in anxious times, is this: “I will set my eyes on you for good.” How does God feel about me? What does He think of me? What are His intentions for me? Does He have a plan? Yes, He does, and it is “for good.” We do not ever need to feel exiled, lost, forsaken or alone, because our Lord promises each believer that He is setting His eyes on him for good. God sees me, God knows me, and He does good for me. Believe the promise, live on the basis of this promise, and act like it is true. For it is.