I have been reading in Jeremiah, where many of us are very familiar with verse 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"). But there is a verse before that that I have never seen given any attention before.
Imagine a time and place full of sin. People who have turned from God and who worship their idols never imagining that God's wrath would be poured out on them (Oh, I tricked you, because I'm actually not talking about modern day - even thought I could be). The LORD, through His prophet, Jeremiah, told the people of Jerusalem that he would spare them from His fierce anger if they gave themselves over as captives of the Babylonians and turned from their wicked ways. Some listened, but others did not. To those who DID listen and became captives of King Nebuchadnezzar, the LORD sent this message:
"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have CARRIED you into EXILE. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper" (29:7) (emphasis mine)
Can you imagine being handed over to someone else and being told this is the best thing for you. We are everyday. We are handed over to sickness, disease, heartache, the stress of everyday life. You have a choice, you can seek the peace and prosperity of your situation into which God has CARRIED YOU! And you can get to know Him better through it (which was His intent for the exile's of Jeremiah's day), OR you can kick, scream, whine, cry, and fight it, and never find peace and prosperity.
Decision time.
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