Daily Devotional – Wednesday, November 9, 2022
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.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Just when you think you are beginning to understand God, he begins to make no sense. For example, when Nebuchadnezzar took the rebellious Jews into exile in Babylon, the latter must have expected God to act in haste and save them.
Doing the Unthinkable
In contrast, God told the exiles to do the unthinkable:
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, 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.” (Jeremiah 29:5-7).
Absurd Instructions
How could God expect His wounded and oppressed people to settle down comfortably among the Babylonians? Did it make sense for Him to tell the exiles to live comfortably and peaceably among their enemies?
Apparently, false prophets and diviners had been lying to the exiles, in the Name of God, that their time in Babylon would be short (verses 8-9). This must have filled the people with hope, but God disowned the false prophets.
When God Does not Intervene Immediately
Often when we get into difficult situations, we are optimistic for quick solutions. We expect God to intervene immediately but He does not. At this point, it is possible to fall prey to false prophets who take advantage of our desperation to propagate lies.
Our pain can make us forget that God uses negative experiences to lead us to repentance, reformation and growth. To the Jews, God stated, “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.” (Verse 10).
Illogical Plans, Humanly-speaking
Even His promises often sound illogical. After telling the exiles to ‘enjoy’ seventy years of Babylonian exile, God promises, “For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Verse 11).
Blinded by pain, guilt and regret, we may not realize that even our most painful experiences are part of God’s plans for our current and future prosperity. Even when God’s actions do not make sense, we must trust that has our best interests at heart.
When God does not Make Sense
If you are going through a difficult moment and God appears to hide His face from you, keep on trusting Him. Be patient. Learn the lessons He is teaching you. A lot of growth takes place during times of hardship. One day, God will make sense.
Prayer
Almighty God, I will trust You even when Your actions do not make sense because I know You have noble plans for me.
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God bless you.
This is a Wonderful Message to inspire us to Keep trusting in God for Strength to Overcome the challenges of this life. Amen🙏
Amen, Chairman.
Though we can’t fully understand God; if we follow His Blueprints in the three stages of His management plan of salvation, we may have a grimps of the knowledge of God.
That our minds and hearts be always connected to heaven; Psalms 25:14
[14]The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Siri ya BWANA iko kwao wamchao, Naye atawajulisha agano lake.
Amen, Danvas. Indeed, as we continue walking with God, we learn to hear His voice and follow His leading. God bless you.