- Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13 – Jeremiah is sending word to the people of Judah who are now existing in exile within Babylon. They have been taken from their homes and placed within enemy territory, and according to Jeremiah they weren’t coming home for another 70 years. All this was due to their rejection of the Lord, and for many likely the thoughts would be that even if they did want to turn back to the Lord now that they couldn’t. They were in exile, far from the temple. For 70 years they wouldn’t be able to offer sacrifices like they should and do their normal temple worships. See though the words of God above. The Lord was telling them that even though they were far off from the temple and had no way to do the proper rituals God has called them to follow, that if they would turn to call on Him from wherever they were that He would listen. That if they were to seek Him out, even in their exile however they could, that He would be found by them. Hear this message for yourselves too. You may not be where you want to be, and you may even think that where you’ve been placed is a space that you could never approach God in. See though this isn’t the truth. Even deep in enemy territory, if you seek God out you will find Him. If you call on Him, He will hear you. Maybe you are deep in grief, maybe you have walked too far into sin, or maybe you’ve walked for years away from Him. Wherever you are, the message of scripture is true…seek and you will find. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3259
- For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. Jeremiah 29:10 – Verse 11 is the verse we see on pillows and signs. The one where it says “For I know the plans I have for you.” Love the verse, but we must remember the context. This promise was being given to those who faithfully followed what God said. Followed it when it didn’t make much sense and so many were saying to do the opposite. To surrender to the Babylonians and leave their homeland. Now we see God telling them He remembers the promise He made to them if they followed Him and has plans to prosper them. We must remember God wants to bless us as well, but we must be willing to faithfully follow Him. Even when it doesn’t make sense or when everyone around you is saying to do the opposite. While following God is the right path and will be the path that prospers, it won’t always be the easiest. I’m trying to take that path and I’d sure love you have you alongside me. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 948
- Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:4-7 – This was a clear set of directions God gave to His people who listened to Him and submitted to the exile to Babylon. They were to flourish there. No, it wasn’t their home, but God called them to build where they were at and pray for the city there were in. How I believe we today can takeaway a message is understanding God is calling us to flourish where He has planted us. Heaven is our true home if we are a follower of Him, so here on earth is a temporary living situation for us like Babylon was for them. Instead of just longing and crying for when we can go to our Heavenly home, where someday God has promised we’ll go to, grow where God has planted you. Build, cultivate, relate, and increase our numbers. While away from Heaven, build churches, cultivate areas were the fruits of the Spirit can be grown, create deep relationships with people, and increase the numbers of those going to Heaven someday with us. While we aren’t in Heaven right now, today is a God-given day and we’ve been planted where we are at for a reason. Build, grow, and increase wherever God has planted you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2161
Daily DEVO 