Daily Scripture 2016.08.26
Jeremiah 29:11 "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."
In chapter 28, Israel is in exile because the Babylonians had ransacked the city. Hananiah prophesied that God would restore the city in 2yrs - all that was stolen, the people forced into slavery - undone! But in chptr 29, Jeremiah writes a letter to Babylon that says (more or less) that you'll remain in captivity for 70yrs (which turns out to be the true prophecy). Jeremiah uses v11 to instill hope & faith in God, when hardship is to remain, going against Israel's timetable.
I pulled up this scripture because I've been struggling with what God wants from me... what does He want me to do or where does He want me to go (decisions in my life, and not anything of faith-wavering concern). And I found this scripture and it's like a gumball from a vending machine - it's exactly what I wanted to hear!
But in investigating the story behind the scripture, it's more of a "but you're a great guy" comment at a break-up! Yes, I am a great guy, but this moment's not so great!
We are to endure the hardships that lie before us, and we must cast all of our anxiety upon God. If our "processing" or interpretation of "what should happen next" doesn't match up with God's (Israel believing that they'll be back in 2yrs, I should get the job\girl, ...), God will lovingly show us wrong. Just because things "fell thru", our perfect Father will always remain with us.
