Jeremiah 29_11-13
January 5
Happy Sabbath Everyone,
The scripture for today is Jeremiah 29:11-13
Jeremiah 29:11-13 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.
In today's scripture we find the prophet Jeremiah speaking to the captives that were taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. God told them that after seventy years of captivity He would visit them and perform His word toward them and cause them to return home again. He tells them that He has not forgotten them and is always thinking thoughts of peace toward them, even though they had forsaken Him.
God has the same position toward His people today. Irrespective of the conditions we might be in, or the poor decisions that we have made that put us in those conditions, God still harbors good intentions for those who will turn to Him. He never thinks evil of us, ever. He is always willing to give us an expected end (some translations render this "a future and a hope"). He promises that if we seek Him we shall find Him when we seek Him will all of our heart. Notice, however, that He said "with all your heart." We cannot have a casual relationship with God. One cannot seek God some of the time and embrace the world the rest of the time. Living for God is a full-time commitment. God is not willing to share our affections with the world, no matter how the world is packaged. He requires all of each of us. Unless we surrender our all, He is not Lord of all. Let us offer Him all of ourselves today and He will surely give us a “future and a hope.â€
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim