SCRIPTURE: “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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
THOUGHT: This promise of God comes during a time of total chaos and upheaval for the nation of Israel. It comes on the heels of a promise recently fulfilled that wasn’t so pretty: one of war and devastation, of captivity to a foreign nation, of a withdrawal of God’s presence so that the sins of Israel would finally catch up with her. The God who said, “no other gods before me” was watching his sons and daughters give their loyalties to all kinds of idols – including sacrificing their children to the god, Molek (Jer. 32:35). Life was God’s gift, and it was precious and sacred. He finally said, “Enough! I can’t watch this anymore!”
When God withdraws his presence, the world spins apart (Col. 1:17). Hence David would plead with God after his double sin of murder and adultery, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me (Ps. 51:11).” We all sin, but where there is no true repentance, sin compounds. Violence escalates. Death has its way…for a time.
But this is God’s economy. His word is the final word, and I am so glad his final words always seem to be about relentless good. He speaks through Jeremiah to a people about to be devastated, enslaved, and broken. God makes his promise for how the story will end: I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
There is always hope for us who follow the God of relentless love.
SONG: One Things Remains https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ
PRAYER: Oh God, if we ever needed evidence that you are not like us, this is it: you never give up on pursuing the people you love, no matter the paths we take that lead into pain for you and us. You are truly relentless when it comes to keeping your promises, and we are a blessed people because of it.
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ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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