Good Plans

For this is what the Lord says: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place. For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord ’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” — this is the Lord ’s declaration — “and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you” — this is the Lord ’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”
Jeremiah 29:10‭-‬14 HCSB

We know a part of this passage well: verse 11. However if you read the whole chapter you realise that verse 11 is a part of a letter Jeremiah sent to the exiles in Babylon. In the first part he tells them to build houses and marry in that land as they would be there for 70 years. Jeremiah, in the latter part of the letter contends with a false prophet who is lying to the exiles saying they would be home soon.

We must take all this on board. None of us like to suffer but there is s time for everything. We can shorten the time by learning the lesson but also lengthen it by stubborn refusal.

Of recent weeks I have been investigating my father's family line. I have discovered my great grandfather was illegitimate. His mother Phyllis was planning on marrying his father, John Cooper,but He was killed breaking in a horse at 24. His son, John, or Jack as he was called, grew up partly in His grandfather's house. He was christened with His mother's surname, Little. His grandfather, Thomas, was a good man. However Jack had a liking for drinking and gambling. Although he married a godly woman, Mary Frost, he was stubborn and headstrong and lost all his property in gambling. Relatives offered to help but stubborn pride prevented him accepting it.

The Jews were being encouraged to seek God in the land they went to, to humble themselves and seek Him with their whole hearts. As Christ's followers we are exhorted by Him to take up our crosses, daily, and follow Him. The times are in His hands. Demanding good and prosperous times do not benefit if that is what we seek and forsake our God.

I take God's promise to me. I expect His fulfillment in His time. Amen! Meantime I will take up my cross and follow Him!