Jeremiah 29:11-13
“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you will seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
God longs for us to seek Him with all of our hearts and to diligently seek His presence. It is in that secret place with God that we too will find Him.
I confess I worry about our future as a nation. Not because of the flawed leaders in power but because of how the people are responding in a time when we need unity.
I wonder how the Israelites truly felt being exiled in Babylon. Their focus has been on deliverance, on simply getting past their current, horrible state of expulsion. I imagine they attacked each other words as they wrestled with their discomfort and fear. Sound familiar?
Then along came Jeremiah to share hope with God's people. God has a plan, and it's for your good, he told them. Yet, before he proclaimed their future security, he says this. Work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.
Maybe you woke up this morning feeling like a stranger in a strange land. We've not been exiled, but perhaps the state of the country we love leaves us feeling as though we've been banished to an uncomfortable place.
The words of the prophet Jeremiah are as relevant for us today as they were for the Israelites in Babylon many years ago. Work for peace and pray because the welfare of this nation will determine our own. God does have a plan to give us and our families hope and a bright future. But how we respond in the midst of the mess will determine whether or not we get to walk into it. When we seek God with our whole heart, with our thoughts and words and action, we will find Him and He will reveal everything we need to thrive in the chaos.
You can take comfort knowing God is with you in the middle of your difficulty. You are not promised immediate change of your situation but you can know God's peace is in it as you trust Him to work in it.
God has plans to prosper you, but those plans may be in the long run, not immediate. It may take time to get to that point. On this earth you may never prosper financially as the world sees prosperity, but you may prosper in peace, joy, contentment, and love. You will know that you have a future that will never come to an end. You will know that someday you will have a mansion with many rooms in heaven on a street of gold.
In order to get all of that, however, you must seek God with all of your heart. You must put His desires first in your life. It is not about you and your prosperity or wealth, but what God wants.
Find Jesus and you will have a hope that is above anything the world can offer. You may not see it completely this side of heaven, but it is coming, just like the Israelites had to wait for it. Let us remember with God all things are possible!!!
Father, thank You for this day and the breath of life that is found in Your Word. Lord, let Your abundant blessings pour out over my friend and family today. Thank You for securing our future and our hope. We leave every fear and concern with You today. Lord, show us how to thrive even when life gets messy. Lord, turn our eyes and our ears away from the chatter of the world and towards You. Lord, hear our prayers as we seek peace and unity for our nation. As we follow you with our whole heart, lead us in how to effectively share your love and truth with the world. Lord use us to be a light that leads others to You out of the darkness of this world.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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