Interpreting Bible Verses

Q. I have a rather simple question for you, but it is something that has been bothering me for a while. Is it correct thinking to take any verse from the Bible and apply it to ourselves. For example: Jeremiah 29:11-”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.”

I have friends who are in our Bible study group who love this verse saying it gives them hope. But if I understand it correctly this verse was written to Israel during the Babylonian captivity. It seems like taking a message out of context and applying it to ourselves in an effort to make ourselves feel better. I know there are verses in the New Testament which are written to the gentile church, but can all Bible verses be applied to anyone? Thanks for you time in answering.

A. Some Christians have a tendency to believe that all the “good” verses are for them, but all the “bad” ones are for someone else.  I believe that all verses that are presented in a general context are for everyone.  John 3:16 or Phil 4:13 are good examples. I also believe the Holy Spirit can “give” a verse to someone during prayer or a time of seeking, that would otherwise not be intended for them.  Jeremiah 29:11 is an example of one such verse. The context of Jeremiah 29 concerns the Israelites who were exiled in Babylon, and the Lord reassuring them by promising to bring them back and restore them.  We know this because Jeremiah 29:10 says so. Like everything else in the Bible some discernment and guidance by the Holy Spirit go a long way toward improved understanding.