What should you do tomorrow? Next week? Next year? Should you save your money, or spend it all? Should you be adventurous and go traveling to exotic destinations, or should you stay at home where things are safe and familiar? Should you make any plans at all? Or live the rest of your life like every breath is your last?
Nowadays, the news seems like a sore subject: There is nothing but gloom and doom everywhere, no one knows what will happen next, and whenever things start to settle down, something else happens.
It is in these times that the prophecies of Jeremiah come to mind. Much of Jeremiah’s ministry was mired in anxiety and misery because Babylon had conquered Israel and captured many of its citizens as slaves. Things were very bleak. It didn’t seem like there was any future for God’s people…
But surprisingly, there was!
“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘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, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’” (Jeremiah 29: 4-7)
Isn’t this amazing? The Lord promises to prosper His people, even during tribulation! And since we, the Christians, are His people, shouldn’t we be confident in His prosperity?
In tumultuous times, we need to remember that God is in control. No matter what is happening, He always knows what is going on. And most importantly, He knows those who are faithful to Him, and He always has them on His mind. He will always take care of His people.
So make your plans!
Build your homes!
Pack your bags!
Deal with your businesses!
Start your family!
Go boldly and fearlessly into the future knowing that the Lord is blessing it and is blessing you!
“‘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.’” (Jeremiah 29: 11)
Lazarevic Ministries 