Jeremiah 29 reminds me of those times in life when things are put on hold while we wait for normalcy to return. We have all experienced the exile feeling after a broken relationship, or in a temporary living situation, or waiting for the baby, following a job loss, or death of a loved one. We go into survival mode. We just hold on and wait. We do nothing, we think nothing and maybe we feel nothing. Today’s chapter is a message to the exiles. “This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles”. This message is specific to the people “Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon”, but the words might be for you too if part of your life is in standby mode. He makes it clear this can happen to all of us, from “King” to “skilled workers” and to “artisans”. Even the tough-guys and the talented find themselves feeling disconnected sometimes. Listen to the introduction, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon”. This was not a mistake; it was part of God’s plan. Did you hear that? Change sometimes has to be forced on us to make us reevaluate. Has your life been on hold?
What does God tell the exiles that are just barely existing? “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage”. He says get started again, build and start living for the long haul. We say, “but this is not where I wanted to be”. If you cannot go back, you have to go forward. He adds, “Increase in number there; do not decrease”. Do not shrivel up and waste away, “seek the peace and prosperity of the city… because if it prospers, you too will prosper”. Don’t just go wild, but invite the Lord into the transition. And listen to a word of warning, “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you”. Deceivers discourage, and isolate and divide, but God completes. “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill My good promise to bring you back”. Did you know God has made promises to you too?
Maybe you just do not trust God? What does He want? “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Has it been a while since you thought of hope and a future? What’s next? “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 I will be found by you”. Friend, this is the place to start if you have been wandering. His promise to Israel is for you too, “I will gather you from all the nations… and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile”. You can have peace with God. Still not sure? He is speaking to the doubters, “hear the word of the Lord, all you exiles”. What about those that whisper in your ear, reminding you that you do not deserve happiness? “In My Name they have uttered lies—which I did not authorize. I know it and am a witness to it”. What does Jesus say to the exile? “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me” (Revelation 3 19-20). Heaven awaits, but let’s live life abundantly in the meantime!