Finding Him, finding His wil
This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 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 a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:10-14
The text speaks of the fact that God has a plan for every person. Babylon was a very destructive nation that took over the control of Israelites. It made life miserable for Israelites. They had this coming because of their disobedience in following the will of God for their lives. They preferred to serve other gods and followed their own sinful desires. Prophet Jeremiah was called by God to preach to the Israelites. Unless they listen to God and repent of their sins, they will continue to be under the power of Babylon. God established a covenant with the Israelites and that included bringing them back to His fold. Jeremiah’s message to them was to look for God wholeheartedly and obey His will for their lives. God’s plan for you is to mold you to His image. But when you resist His plan for your life and prefer to follow your plan and it contradicts His will, then you will suffer the consequence. Do not let Satan deceive you that when you follow God’s will for your life that you will miss out on the “fun” things of life. When you seek only the things that you think will make you happy and your pursuit of these takes you away from God, you will find yourself disheartened, disillusioned, and discouraged because they will not satisfy. When you continue to dig deeper in His word, the more you will discover the right way to live that will provide you contentment in life. Fear of the future will be replaced with an assurance of being with Christ for eternity. Worries and anxiousness will be replaced with His peace that surpasses understanding. Loneliness will be replaced with comfort knowing that He is with you for He promised He will never leave you nor forsake you. Seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Blessings.
