Are you in the middle of chaos right now? It could be chaos from a difficult situation that has you held captive or it could even be a good situation—a blissful event that’s happening in your life but it’s still causing busyness and stress.
Think about this . . .
It’s a lesson that comes from Jeremiah 29. Here the prophet is writing to the Israelites that are being held captive by the Babylonians.
We read, “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” (Jer. 29:5-7).
They were living in a situation they couldn’t control and a situation they didn’t choose. God however is telling them not to give up. He’s giving them hope which he tells them later in Jer. 29:11. But before God has Jeremiah write about hope He tells them to:
- build houses,
- plant vineyards,
- marry and have children,
- give there children in marriage so they can have children
- seek peace where “I have caused you to be carried away captive”
- Pray to the Lord for peace
- FOR in ITS peace . . . you will have peace!
This is what I want you to see.
The Lord says, “seek the peace of the city (our situation) . . . for in its peace (the peace of our situation) you will have peace.”
I’ve had to do this myself this week. My husband and I’ve just bought his parent’s home and are in the process of moving out of our home to move in and take care of them. His parents are both turning 90 in July and are in need of more care. It’s a little chaotic since we are packing some things in their home to make room for us, packing up our home, and remodeling. For about 6 weeks we’ll have all of our belongings in storage and sleep in a small bedroom upstairs until our “home” downstairs is remodeled. Did I say it was chaotic?
But I was reminded of these verses and began to seek peace in this situation that is holding me captive at the moment and I’ve prayed to the Lord for it. And I can honestly say that I have peace.
Try it.
God loves us and He sent His Son to die for us so that we can have eternal life with Him in heaven—His Son the PRINCE OF PEACE. Look to Him today and allow His peace into your crazy situation, whether it’s good or bad.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:11-13
photos courtesy of pixabay.com
scripture from English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible
