By Dr. Kerry Knight, Emerald Beach Church of Christ
“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, NIV)
Many people want to blame God for every misfortune that comes their way. Ancient Israel was just that way. Defeated, dejected and demoralized, God’s people found themselves in a strange land after being removed from their homeland and enslaved by the Babylonians. They never seemed to realize that their unwanted circumstance was of their own doing.
God had given Israel God’s commandments from the tablets of Moses. Prominent among them were the words, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” God’s special name for His people was Yahweh, and He promised to guide them, protect them and provide for them. He, in turn, required respect and obedience. However, in just a short time after entering the promised land, the people of Yahweh began worshiping the pagan gods of Ahab and Jezebel. Though being longsuffering and giving Israel plenty of time to repent, His patience was exhausted. He then allowed the king of Babylon to plunder Jerusalem and take the people captive for 70 years. As in our text above, some would view God as trying to hurt them or even destroy them. They were very wrong in that analysis. God was their Father, only seeking to bring them back to Him.
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19 God brought them back home again, with the promise of the coming Messiah. Our journey with God today is much the same. He offers us HOPE and a BRIGHT FUTURE, if we will only seek Him. He has a plan for your life. Why not make Him your Lord, Yahweh. Jesus, after His resurrection said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)
