"Don't dwindle away!"
Jeremiah 29:6b
Build. Plant. Produce. Eat. Marry. Multiply. Work. These words have one thing in common: action. Each word requires effort, movement, and intention. This amazes me! God, the LORD of Heaven's armies just announced to His children, through the prophet Jeremiah that He would allow them to be taken into captivity for 70 years. Then in the next word of prophecy instructs them to stay busy, make themselves at home, and work for peace. Making myself at home would be the last thing I would want to do as an exile in captivity. But the Lord's ways are not my ways. Glory to that!
Many of us have been moving pleasantly through life, suddenly look up and without warning find ourselves as an "exile" of sort in captivity that was not of our own making or choicing. Our first instinct is to fight against our captivity with all our might. We even cry out to God to be rescued. In some situations He rescues right away. However, in other situations, in His sovereignty, He choses to have us remain an exile. Like the Israelites, He might even ask us to relax and make the best of the situation.
How? How could they do that, make the best of a terrible, awful, horrific situation? They had a promise. It came right after this seemingly impossible list of action items.
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
We have the same future and hope. The work He has begun in us is a good work. Just like the Israelites, we can trust Him to be faithful to complete this work, even as an exile in captivity. This hope can supply what we need to carry out normal activity while in captivity, to make the best of a bad situation, and not dwindle away.
Dear Lord, Some of my sisters are exiles in captivity not of their own making or choicing. I want to pray for them today. Shine your light of love upon them. Infuse them with all that is required to take action in an enviornment where it is difficult to do so. Refresh them with Your Spirit. Nourish them with Your Living Water and Bread of Life. Remind them of Your wonderful plans for their future.
8 Comments:
Very Nice Wendy - Thank you!
And Amen!
Have a Blessed Day everyone!
Lynn
You bless me.
:)
Such an encouragement Wendy!!! The title alone has spoken so much to my heart, "Activity in Captivity"! AMEN!
This morning my post continues on with Jeremiah 29:13-14, "'If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,' says the LORD. 'I will end your captivity...'"
The promise of seekers finding and the end...one day...of captivity. Those were the verses handed to me on a card last year at "She Speaks" when I went forward to release my fears and doubts at the foot of the cross. In the "shadow" of the card was the word, "FREE". I share the entire story on my blog today. I still carry that card in my purse (as well as the one I received in 2005).
Praying I will walk in that freedom today, and the Lord will show me what activity He requires of me in my captivity.
Hugs,
Joy
Good Morning Lovely Ladies~
Thank you Wendy for your ending prayer. Amen from me, too.
I also highlighted the same verse that you did! Boy, Jeremiah's revelation had some good news and some bad news from God. The bad was extremely bad-70 years in Babylon (29:10). But, the good news was that He would bring His people home in the end. PTL!
Most of us know that God's plans can take a long time to come about. Should we get discouraged or lose faith? NO! While we're waiting for our "future of hope," 29:11, we need to seek God and pray. (29:12,13) God tells us when we seek Him, we will find Him. That is a promise from Him that we can can't on! Then, the second thing we need to do is obey Him. We wholeheartedly trust God. We listen to Him and obey Him in everything so that no barriers are built between Him and us.
Beginning in chapter 30:9...Jeremiah was given a revelation in the O.T. regarding the reign of Christ and the nature of the New Covenant with His people...I had to keep reading it was so good...just wait till tomorrow-there is one of the MOST precious verses! :)
But, today..."In the days to come you will understand all this." 30:24 "The LORD, who scattered his people, will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock." 31:10. Don't ya just love this?
Thank you dear sisters for your comments which bless the flip-flops right off of my feet! This journey we're on keeps getting better and better! Wendy, the Jesus inside of you, is inside of me, and He has drawn me so close to Him through this journey that we are all on! Never before have I been so excited to read God's Word. Enjoy His presence today dear friends. Allow His peace to fill you to the brim. Remember His plans for us are good; a future of hope. He is faithful to His Word.
Love, Hugs, & Blessings~Lori - AZ
Boy, this message was timely for me. My close friend is going thru a "time of exile" right now b/c of something that has occurred with her teenage son. I am going to share your uplifting, Spirit filled words of encouragement with her.
Thank you Wendy, and thank you Jesus.
"Those who survive will find blessings even in the barren land." Jeremiah 31:2
"They will be radiant because of the Lord's good gifts" Jeremiah 31:12
Every day I come here and am lifted up and each time I thank God for connecting us all. I am so blessed walking with you radiant women!
Though we may be in captivity, we have the promise of blessings and good gifts. We must not just sit and wait, we have to move along with faith...live our lives and grow in the belief of all the shining goodness in store. On earth, as it is in heaven!
It is just too, too glorious!
I add my AMEN! and YES, LORD! to Wendy's prayer this morning with the confident knowledge God has told us when we pray, he will listen (Jer 33:12)
With love to all my Radiant & Shining Sisters,
Liz
AK
Shine on me sisters shine!
"Activity in Captivity"....I love it!
nancy
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