4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.
10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.—Jeremiah 29:4-7;10-11
As I read these words from Jeremiah 29 my heart rejoiced in its wisdom. Jeremiah’s advice to the Jewish exiles in Babylon was good not only for them, but also for us as we face the inevitable trials that accompany life in this fallen world. Beloved…This world is not our home. As believers we are sojourners and pilgrims here on this earth. Our hope is in heaven. We walk by faith, not by sight.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.—Hebrews 11:13-16
Father….Help me to live as Jeremiah advises. By Your Spirit may I surrender to whatever situation You, in Your wisdom, have allowed in my life and make the best of it. May I press forward and not back.
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Help me not to complain but to trust You…
Trust Your purposes…
Trust Your care and Your provision….
Trust Your timing.
Trust that that You will see me through and will use all in my life for my good and Your glory.
Oh Father…remind me to pray…to turn my pour heart upside down before You. You are my refuge and my very present help. Write these words from Philippians 4 that parallel Jeremiah’s on my heart. parallel Jeremiah’s.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].—Philippians 4:4-8 AMP
Beloved our Hope is in Him. Look to Him and to Him alone for your help. Fill your heart with His word, live in His peace and accept His will for you. Take to heart God’s beautiful promise in verse 11.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
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