Jeremiah 29
Last night at church I shared with our group that I find myself in life where obviously God’s plan for me is different than what I would have dreamt. A year ago, if you would’ve asked me what I wanted to do with my life, it was to help an existing church find life and restoration.
It’s not what I’m doing now. I’m planting a church. I’m excited about doing it, but it isn’t what I would have ever thought I would do in life. It’s super hard work! I’m pumped about the adventure, but I definitely wouldn’t have planned to do it broke. You get the picture?
I don’t know if you’ve found yourself in a situation that you wouldn’t have picked for yourself or not, but I know that I’ve found a lot of comfort in Jeremiah 29 lately. Let me set the scene for you.
It’s 597 BC. God is judging the nation of Judah because of their unfaithfulness. The Babylonians attacked Jerusalem. They’ve taken 3000 prisoners back to Babylon; including the king, court officials, craftsmen, etc. It’s not looking good for the Jews, know what I mean?
They’ve found themselves in exile – a place they don’t want to be. And yet the prophet Jeremiah has something to say to them that I think is just as appropriate for us today as it was to them then. He says, “build houses, settle down, plant gardens…marry and have sons and daughters…seek the peace and prosperity of the city…pray to the Lord and if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jer. 29:5-7).
To make a long story short, Jeremiah went on to tell them they would be in this bad place for 70 years. And they were!
That’s a long time! If these Jews are like me, then they were wondering what in the heck good could come of this. And yet a lot of good does. Here’s a couple things: 1) The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (LOVE THAT STORY!) 2) The story of Daniel. 3) With Daniel’s help King Nebuchadnezzar becomes a believer in God. 4) The Old Testament books 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Psalm 137 were all written.
The bottom line is that I don’t know how the Lord works. But I do know that even when we find ourselves in places we don’t want or planned to be in, the Lord can bring about good. No wonder, Jeremiah states in 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.”
When we find ourselves in hard times and scary places we can trust Jesus. He is for us, and not against us! Praise be to God!
Great post! Very timely too. I’m in a place I never thought I’d be either, we sold our comfortable, nice, spacious home in a nice, comfortable spacious neighborhood and we’re moving to a small house in a “less than desirable” neighborhood to do community. Very exciting and terrifying at the same time! We close on the 31st. Very cool about the church plant, I’m sure awesome things will come from it!
Thanks keely for the encouragement. Praying for your “closing.” I know God has big big big things ahead for you all!
I don’t think anyone finds themselves exactly where they thought they would, and I too, am one of those people. I never imagined at 31 I would be unemployed, living in Columbia and in Graduate school starting all over. Some days I have debates with myself asking whether or not I made the right choices up to this point. During those times Jeremiah 29:11 has often popped in my head. While we are all in different (not always the most ideal) situations, it’s important to trust that it’s all part of plan. We’re just a puzzle piece in God’s big picture. With that in mind, I stop to reflect on my choices and it’s comforting to know that I must be on the right path even if I don’t always agree with it.
So Matt basically you are telling me to live life even when it seems to be off kilter (like way off kilter)? LOL
most definitely cyndi! i have to tell myself that all the time!
Great way to look at things Harmonie! Romans 8 helps me a lot too…
Its hard when we are wandering in the woods but God is above the tree tops so if we call out to Him for guidance we can rest assured that He is guiding us the right way –the part where we have problems is that we are never sure when we are listening to His voice vs what we think is His voice…that is where the faith comes in and its a lot easier said than done. For what its worth, Matt, I think you are listening to God. And I think God is speaking to you.