Prophets Faithfull to God's Covenant

Courageous Prophets of Change
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

 

Isiah: Offering Hope for the Future

Jeremiah 29:10-14
New International Version

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. 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

For Reflection

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God warned his people of an impending catastrophe.  God's advice to save the faithful repentant people was to surrender to Babylon. (Hardly viewed as a popular choice!)

But God's plan was not designed only to save His remnants but also to invigorate the people's faith.  Being in exile did not relieve the Jews from keeping the faith. In fact, it tested their ability to withstand the pressures to abandon it. The directive to be a witness to the power of a God-centered life was encouraged. In one sense, the exile could be considered a missionary assignment to bring the truth to the culture and power structures of Nebbaknazer. The hope for the restoration of the Jews would lie in the extent to which they stayed faithful and obedient to God as they faced mounting pressures of prosperity in exile.

(See the book of David.)

Pray

Pray and seek the Lord with all your heart. Pray and become unburdened by the pressures to conform to Godless practices.
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