A Letter from Home
Read Jeremiah 25:1–29:32
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4. This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:
5. “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.
6. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!
7. 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.” . . .
11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
12. In those days when you pray, I will listen.
13. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
14. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.” Jeremiah 29:4-7, 11-14
When you’re away at college, at boot camp, or almost anywhere else, there’s nothing quite like a letter from home. You know that the familiar handwriting means the message inside is just for you
Jeremiah’s friends, neighbors, and other fellow citizens were a long way from home. Conquered by invaders, they lived in exile in Babylon. In this set of prophecies, Jeremiah deals with lonely, grief-stricken people. They want only to go back home to Jerusalem. Jeremiah knows, however, that they will be in Babylon for a long time, so he sends them a letter to help them get on with their lives. Look for a lesson about making the most of a bad situation.
We should not let our lives grind to a halt during troubled times. In an unpleasant or distressing situation, we must accept what we cannot change, adjust whatever we can, and get on with our responsibilities. Some circumstances are unavoidable. Perhaps they aren’t going to change anytime soon, or there is no end in sight. God places us in these circumstances for good reasons, either to discipline us or to teach us a lesson.
When you enter times of trouble or sudden change, or when you realize that your difficult circumstances aren’t going to change, pray often. Don’t give in to fear or give up in discouragement; instead, do what you can to fulfill your responsibilities.
