Surviving Babylon...

I love Jeremiah 29:11. It is one of my favorite scriptures and is one of comfort to me whenever the trials of life get too hard. The Lord dropped it into my spirit last night when I was talking to a friend at church so I passed it along. But this morning He gave it to me again and impressed upon me to read the entire chapter. It's an open letter from Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon from The Lord and it truly blessed me. He then encouraged me to share with you what He shared with me.

 Many of us are in a transitional period of our lives. Everything seems hard and your surroundings appear strange. You feel out of place or out of sorts, not quite sure which way to go. You have been sent on a journey. It's not a pleasure trip but rather one of testing, growth and of faith. But I am here to tell you that you will survive Babylon.

 Look at what God says in verses 5-7. “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:5-7 NLT) God has you where you are for a reason but while you are there, you have to build and live like you plan to stay. He doesn't want you to walk around in depression or confusion. No! He wants you to pray your way through for your peace lies in finding peace with your season.

This is not to say that you should let your guard down during this season. Not at all! Beware of those that always have "a word" for your situation. In verses 8&9, God warns the people to be wary of who comes to them during this time with "a word" for they are liars and false prophets. He goes on to say through Jeremiah that their captivity would be long...70 years! But He wanted them to be mindful of His promise and that promise was for a future! That's where verses 11 - 14 come in. God knows exactly where you are right now and what you are struggling with but He wants you realize that on the other side, there is restoration and answered prayers. No matter how long this season lasts for you, you cannot get caught up in a Babylonian mindset where all you see is loss and failure. You have to keep your eyes on freedom for it has been promised!

The rest of the letter is a rebuke to those who remained in Jerusalem and to the false prophets that told lies on God. There will be retribution. You see, we can't get caught up in what those who we have to leave behind are doing. God will deal with them. If they have lied, if they have stayed in a place that is not theirs, if they have sinned, there will be consequences. But you don't have to administer them. You must keep your eyes on what God has called you to do and keep moving.
 
You are victorious! You are a survivor! You are an overcomer! Babylon will be transformed because you prayed for it and endured. This post will not be for everyone and everyone won't read it but if you have been struggling through transition to find your way or fighting through your hard place, please take heed. God is with you and He has plans for you. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."(Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

 
Be blessed...Amen!