Tragedy with Purpose -by Anita Wood

Continued from Contagious Thoughts E-Devotional

Look at God's purpose: he spoke to the specific person who would relay His message to His people. The first thing God tells them is that their tragedy - their forced exile - was something He knew all about! Verse 4 says God sent them to exile.  The person or forces that brought these circumstances about were not the culprit: they were merely God's instrument. What tragedy affects you that God ordained? How we recoil from thinking God brings heartache, exile, or tragedy, but He does. However - the sole reason is His purpose!  
 
Verses 5-10 give God's instructions about what to "do" while in the midst of this tragedy and adversity. "Settle in" God says. Allow people to observe how you handle this problem - - because, they WILL observe whether you allow it or not. The people in exile had to trust God daily - for their children, for their lives and food, for their livelihood. In verse 7, God commands prayer for the welfare of their city - this city where you were sent as exiles! As we pray for the people around us, we DO benefit - it is in the collective welfare that life is best for us, too.
 
I believe verse 10 specifically says this tragedy has an endpoint and a purpose. "When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place."  God tells them (1) there is a limit to their exile, (2) He knows all the details, and (3) He is faithful to His purpose and plan.
 
Christians love to claim the promise in Jeremiah 29:11, "FOR, I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." YES, we love God's promises - but how much more awesome it IS in the context of this message to the exiles. They could relax, calm down, and know that God is on His throne, and has their welfare in mind.
 
Do you ever feel like your prayers bounce off the ceiling and God cannot be found? Perhaps these exiles felt that way also. God did give them a plan. He did communicate His purpose for their life circumstance. This message was to the leaders - the elders, those in ministry to God's people! You are a leader, you are among the most respected of God's people - - you ARE included in His plan!  Look at what Jeremiah 29:1-14 tells the exiles of years ago, and make an accompanying list describing what He is telling you today.
 
·         God's message to me is  - write it out.
·         God has sent me to ______________ (my location, 

           situation, circumstance).
·         Read verses 5-7.  How can I "settle in" here and rest in God's plan?
·         Am I being discerning about messages I hear (verses 8-9)?
·         I may not see it, but this situation IS with purpose.
·         What thought grips me as I read this passage?
·         Verse 12:  Am I immersing myself in what this verse tells me to do?
·         Verse 13:  Honestly, what am I "seeking" in my situation?
·         What promises does God give me in verses 12-14?
·         In the end, there is restoration - healing - and wholeness.

How this blesses my heart today! Do you ever need the unending days to make sense? Does tragedy and heartache seem unending and meaningless - - is it merely pain?

Our Heavenly Father always includes hope in His messages. Allow God to speak hope and healing, and restoration to your heart today.