Jeremiah 29:4 (NIV) “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon”. Who carried the Israelite people into captivity? It was God! God put them in Babylon for a reason. This is a difficult truth to accept. God may have allowed you to be where you are today. This is one of the difficult aspects of believing in the sovereignty of God. The sovereignty of God means that God knows, allows or sends (even) the trials into our lives. Therefore, it is imperative that we get God’s perspective on our situation.
Perspective is always important. A right perspective can ease our pain.
Get productive where you are. Sometimes we blame our situation for our lack of service to God. It is easy to make excuses.
• I will serve God when I feel better.
• I will serve God when things get worked out
at home.
• I will serve God when things are better at
work.
• I will have a daily quiet time when I feel
better.
• I will share my faith when I am more
encouraged.
“The problem with excuses, though, is that they’re like armpits. Everyone’s got a couple and they usually stink.”
• I will serve God when I feel better.
• I will serve God when things get worked out
at home.
• I will serve God when things are better at
work.
• I will have a daily quiet time when I feel
better.
• I will share my faith when I am more
encouraged.
“The problem with excuses, though, is that they’re like armpits. Everyone’s got a couple and they usually stink.”
If God wanted these people to be comfortable he would never have allowed them to spend 70 years in Babylon. In his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren shares a similar truth. He says “God’s ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development.” (p. 173) Sometimes God allows us to spend time in a desert to build character and to test our obedience.
Listen to God because he knows your situation. Look at verses 11-12. “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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (NIV)
Want to know God's purpose for your life? Read the word of God. HE has plans for you. He has plans to give you a hope and a future. That means that you matter and that there is a specific reason you were born and He wants you to know what that reason is. Spend time with Him today and listen to His voice.
Listen to God because he knows your situation. Look at verses 11-12. “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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (NIV)
Want to know God's purpose for your life? Read the word of God. HE has plans for you. He has plans to give you a hope and a future. That means that you matter and that there is a specific reason you were born and He wants you to know what that reason is. Spend time with Him today and listen to His voice.
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