“This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for
Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back
to this place. 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 upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen
to you.” (Jeremiah 29:10-12 NIV)
Sometimes life’s circumstances seem like exile. We are restrained
by the situation and think it is impossible to get free or ever return to normalcy
again. Routine kills our spirit and initiative. We wake up, gulp down our coffee,
rush out the door, inch through traffic, work eight hours or more, deal with
after-work traffic, eat our dinner, go to bed, and do it all over again the
next day. And the next, and the next . . .
by the situation and think it is impossible to get free or ever return to normalcy
again. Routine kills our spirit and initiative. We wake up, gulp down our coffee,
rush out the door, inch through traffic, work eight hours or more, deal with
after-work traffic, eat our dinner, go to bed, and do it all over again the
next day. And the next, and the next . . .
What are we supposed to do in this conundrum? How do we
break free? It is so easy to listen to positive affirmations that things will
get better. We do not like to be told that we must settle down and accept the
present circumstances. We do not want to slog through “our exile” until it is
finished. We want to change our situation by changing our attitudes and
perspectives and relationships and churches and so forth and so on.
break free? It is so easy to listen to positive affirmations that things will
get better. We do not like to be told that we must settle down and accept the
present circumstances. We do not want to slog through “our exile” until it is
finished. We want to change our situation by changing our attitudes and
perspectives and relationships and churches and so forth and so on.
It is a common human trait to refuse responsibility for
our circumstances. Yet, there is a learning curve in all our circumstances and for
the exiles from Judah it was seventy years. And they were instructed to settle
down and not give up. They were instructed to reject false prophets. They were
instructed to take hold of hope and look to the future. Obviously they had much
to learn. And while they were learning they would pray, God would listen and do
something to implement his plans.
our circumstances. Yet, there is a learning curve in all our circumstances and for
the exiles from Judah it was seventy years. And they were instructed to settle
down and not give up. They were instructed to reject false prophets. They were
instructed to take hold of hope and look to the future. Obviously they had much
to learn. And while they were learning they would pray, God would listen and do
something to implement his plans.
Dear Father, thank you for the hope we have in Jesus
Christ. Empower us to look to our future and the plans you have for us. I pray
this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Christ. Empower us to look to our future and the plans you have for us. I pray
this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and courageous as you trust God’s plans,