Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 37-39; Psalms 79; 2 John
Trust means making God’s plans for you your plans.
You may not know what they are but He does
and that’s good enough!
You may not know what they are but He does
and that’s good enough!
It seems like a distant memory, but that wonderful promise we read about a few days ago, Jeremiah 29:11, is still true: “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.” Unfortunately, for those who didn’t embrace the condition of obedience to God, protection and prosperity would not be provided, at least not in the short term. But for Jeremiah, who remained faithful to God despite some challenging circumstances, the promise definitely came to pass.
This is the word Jeremiah received from God as Jerusalem was being overtaken by the Babylonians: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day,” declares the Lord; “you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me,” declares the Lord (39:16-18).
It seems that God’s plans for protection and prosperity can apply to nations and individuals. His promise to the nation of Israel (specifically Judah) will come to pass when they get their act together. In the meantime, while they are experiencing disastrous consequences for their collective sin, God is still caring for Jeremiah, and presumably other individuals who are still honouring Him. Even though he is thrown into prison and a deep, dark cistern, God is there, protecting him from harm.
This spoke to me. Our world today is facing disasters strikingly similar to the upheaval in Jeremiah’s day. Horrific terrorist attacks, wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes, persecution, false prophets - it almost sounds like the end times prophesied in Matthew 24:4-13 (which, in my opinion, is highly likely!). But the care for Jeremiah should encourage us that God can and will protect those who remain faithful to Him (v.13).
“Lord, when I make Your plans my plans I can trust in Your promise of protection and prosperity. There may be some dark cisterns along the way but there will be a light at the end when I am ‘lifted’ to safety.”
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