NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

January 10

Scripture focus: The letter was carried by Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah had sent to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The letter said: This is the Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God, to all the exiles I've taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and make yourselves at home. "Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. "Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you'll thrive in that country and not waste away. "Make yourselves at home there and work for the country's welfare. "Pray for Babylon's well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you." Yes. Believe it or not, this is the Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God: "Don't let all those so-called preachers and know-it-alls who are all over the place there take you in with their lies. Don't pay any attention to the fantasies they keep coming up with to please you. They're a bunch of liars preaching lies—and claiming I sent them! I never sent them, believe me." GOD's Decree! Jeremiah 29:3-9, The Message

The Hebrew people found themselves in Babylon because of their own wrongdoing. This wasn’t a job transfer or promotion. They didn’t move so that they and their children could have a multi-cultural experience. Those guys were there as wards of the state of Babylon. They served a king-who-was-not-their-king.

One of my children once committed an offense that landed him in captivity. I sent him to his room and metaphorically threw away the key. I didn’t send him there for play time so before he entered his room for “time out,” I removed his G.I.Joes, comic books and Game Boy. I took his guitar and walkman. I left him with four walls, a bible and a bunk bed.

This is not how God punished his people. In fact, even in captivity, he blessed them. He encouraged them to marry and have children. He invited them to thrive. Not only did he encourage them to flourish, he asked them to work for the country’s welfare. He taught them to pray for Babylon’s well-being! Amazing.

When we read through scripture, it is obvious that when it comes to blessing, God doesn’t hold back. He is able to see the truth about his children – they have done wrong and need discipline – without losing sight of their ever-increasing glory.

It is entirely possible that you are suffering – and it may even be your own fault. Maybe you’re the only one to blame for the mess you find yourself in. That does not mean that you are without hope. Our God sees our problems and our potential.

May we lift up our hands and hearts in prayer to God – who sees with clarity and loves us anyway.

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