Doctors’ offices used to have tons of magazines and brochures that
kept patients and their families pre-occupied while waiting for their
turn to see the doctor. But with the advent of cellphones, waiting
time has never been the same again. Some go to social media, play
games, check emails, or tick their to-do lists. tinkering on our phone
has become the default thing to do when we have to wait.
But what if we need to wait for days, weeks, months, years, or even an
uncertain period of time? For a test result, a diagnosis, a job
interview, a work contract to finally end, a family member to get
better, a loved one to go home. What do we do to pass the time?
During the time of Babylonian captivity, Israelites had to patiently
wait for the time for them to come back to their homeland. The Prophet
Jeremiah gave them guidance on what to do while they are away from
Jerusalem. As present-day followers of Jesus, we too can benefit from
the advice he gave his people, as we await for breakthroughs, for
God’s guidance, and His answer to our prayers.
“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. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a
hope.” Jeremiah 29:10-11
The prophet Jeremiah gave several instructions to the exiles, which we
can follow and apply in our own waiting situations. First, he called
on them to be productive and continue doing what they have to do to
provide for their families.
“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.”
Jeremiah 29:5
As present-day believers, we can surmise that this means that even if
we are waiting for something to transpire, we should continue living
our lives. We should not put on hold the things that we do that
provide for our family’s daily existence just because we are still
seeking God’s direction in our lives.
The second instruction Jeremiah mentioned in His letter is to continue
following God’s commands. Sometimes, when we are waiting for God to
answer our prayers we tend to lose our zeal to remain obedient to the
Lord. Jeremiah said, we should continue heeding God’s word.
“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.” Jeremiah 29:6
The third instruction is for the people to show concern to the land
that they are currently living in even if it does not belong to them.
This instruction may also apply to us today, as oftentimes, we seem
not to have concern over our environment and surroundings just because
we are in a temporary situation. We however seem to forget that
everything we do today has an impact tomorrow.
“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 29:7
The next instruction Jeremiah wrote was to remain faithful to the
Lord. Sometimes when we are in the midst of waiting, and agonizing
about what the future holds we tend to forget that we have a gracious
God who is in control. We seem to suddenly get attracted to temporal
things that provide comfort, direction, and even guidance. Jeremiah
says, we must remain faithful to our Lord, as we wait on Him to
fulfill His promises to us.
“For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your
prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not
listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are
prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the
Lord.” Jeremiah 29:8
As present day Christians, we can apply this guidance in our lives by
continuing to be faithful in seeking God amidst the uncertainties that
we face. That we should continue praying to Him, meditating on His
words, seeking His guidance, and worshiping Him even if we have yet to
see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“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. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore
your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places
where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back
to the place from which I sent you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:12-14
When we continue to read the bible, listen to sermons, and attend
bible study sessions, we get to learn more of God’s character and
promises. And when we know Him more, we get to strengthen our faith
and hold on to our hope and belief that everything the Lord does,
including His timing, is all for our good.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall
mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They
shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Jeremiah 29:1-14 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: What do you do while waiting for guidance and
breakthroughs from God? What can help you be more patient and
faithful?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your
unchanging character, sovereignty and loving kindness. Please give me
the confidence to continue being hopeful and faithful while waiting
for you to provide guidance, clarity and wisdom for my situations. I
thank you also for your promises and letting me hold on to them. Amen.
