“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
God told Jeremiah to send a letter to the people who had been taken to Babylon, instructing them as to how they should conduct their lives while they were there. He told them to build houses and plant gardens to provide for their needs. They were to marry and have children so that their numbers would increase. They were to pray for the country and that peace would prevail.
He reminded them that their captivity would last for seventy years, and when that was fulfilled, the Lord had promised that they would return to their own country. God’s thoughts toward them were of peace and not of evil, and they could trust that He would keep His word to them. If they would search for God with all their heart, they would find Him.
Although these instructions and promises were given to the captives in Babylon, they can be applied to our lives today. As followers of the Lord Jesus, we have been given instructions in the Word of God as to how we should live in this world as we await His return. Jesus told a parable to illustrate this:
“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:12-13
In this parable, each servant was entrusted with a certain amount of money, and it was their choice how they invested it. Jesus has given each of us talents and abilities and we choose whether we will use them for Him or just bury them. We do not know the hour, day, or year that Jesus will return for His people. But we do know that He will return.
Wherever He has placed us, it is our responsibility to be good citizens. Whatever our hands find do to, we do it diligently. We pray for our cities, towns, and countries, that peace will prevail. We raise our families to honour and serve the Lord. We share the love of God with those around us.
The Lord had promised the people in Jeremiah’s day an expected end – they would return to their country. God has promised us that if we will seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him. The promise made to His disciples in Acts 1:11 will be fulfilled.
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Prayer: Jesus, we’ve read the back of the book, and we win! Help us to be your faithful servants, fulfilling your plan for our lives as we wait and watch for your return.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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