In my personal daily devotions, I am reading through a chronological Bible. I would highly recommend this to anyone who hasn't done so already. This has been such an exciting adventure for me, as i am developing a clearer picture of how each story, each writer, each event fits together. I have always believed that the Bible was much more cohesive than we tend to believe, but I see it even more clearly now. I have a much clearer understanding of what was going on in Israel's history, for example, while each of the prophets were writing, as their works are inserted within the history given in Kings and Chronicles.
As I was studying the time period that Judah was in exile in Babylon and Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed and abandoned, I came across a familiar text: " '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 a hope and a future.' " Jeremiah 29:11.
This has always been an inspiring message for me, personally. Now that I have read it in context, it means even more. I understand more about where the people were when they received this message, and I knew what the prophet was up against when he professed it.
The people of Judah had defied God openly with their idol worship. They had rejected His many attempts to bring them back into relationship with and true worship of Himself, and they repeatedly and continuously sought their own way, only pretending to follow Him, if even that. While they wanted to have His protection from their enemies, and they certainly wanted His blessings in the form of good crops and other forms of wealth, they did not want to surrender their hearts to Him.
So, God finallly sent them away. He allowed another, more powerful nation to overtake them, to destroy the temple their capitol city, and the surrounding territory, and to take the people into captivity in a faraway land.
Then, He sent prophets to explain to them and to remind them why they were being disciplined. It was in this context that God reminds His people of His love for them. his plans were still for their prosperity. he still desired to bless them. He was going to bring them back to a relationship with Himself and provide for their future.
What a God! When I am living my life for myself, with my own agenda, pretending to follow God, but really worshipping myself and my "idols", God still ahs a plan for my life that includes a future with Him! I may need to spend a period with my heart in captivity, until I remember to turn back to Him, but His heart is always for me.
Romans 15:4 says, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope."
I praise God daily for the hope that He provides, afresh every day.
As I was studying the time period that Judah was in exile in Babylon and Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed and abandoned, I came across a familiar text: " '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 a hope and a future.' " Jeremiah 29:11.
This has always been an inspiring message for me, personally. Now that I have read it in context, it means even more. I understand more about where the people were when they received this message, and I knew what the prophet was up against when he professed it.
The people of Judah had defied God openly with their idol worship. They had rejected His many attempts to bring them back into relationship with and true worship of Himself, and they repeatedly and continuously sought their own way, only pretending to follow Him, if even that. While they wanted to have His protection from their enemies, and they certainly wanted His blessings in the form of good crops and other forms of wealth, they did not want to surrender their hearts to Him.
So, God finallly sent them away. He allowed another, more powerful nation to overtake them, to destroy the temple their capitol city, and the surrounding territory, and to take the people into captivity in a faraway land.
Then, He sent prophets to explain to them and to remind them why they were being disciplined. It was in this context that God reminds His people of His love for them. his plans were still for their prosperity. he still desired to bless them. He was going to bring them back to a relationship with Himself and provide for their future.
What a God! When I am living my life for myself, with my own agenda, pretending to follow God, but really worshipping myself and my "idols", God still ahs a plan for my life that includes a future with Him! I may need to spend a period with my heart in captivity, until I remember to turn back to Him, but His heart is always for me.
Romans 15:4 says, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope."
I praise God daily for the hope that He provides, afresh every day.
