Last week we talked about God being in control of all things, and that he's got a plan in all circumstances. Sometimes we may not always be able to understand why we have to go through the things we go through, but God is always in control.
In a letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent to the surviving elders among the Jews in exile, God told them He had a plan. Sometimes we want His plan unfolded now. But we have to wait sometimes longer than we'd like. Life would be so much better if we could end the pain and bondage, but listen to this: Jeremiah 29:10, "This is what the Lord says: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place." They had to wait 70 years for God to make good on a promise! For many, if not most, that was longer than a lifetime! Be patient in your suffering. Wait on the Lord, He's in control and He has plans for each and every one of us.
Jeremiah 29:11, "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." Amen! Your future is bright, although we may not be able to see it now, it's coming. The day is coming when the Lord will give us a future rich with His blessings. There is hope in Him, He's the only hope we have of being freed from bondage. Hang on a little while longer in your suffering. There's a hope and a future for you and me. 1 Peter 5:10-11, "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." Praise God!
