Jeremiah 29:4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
When I want something, I am afraid I can get a little Veruca Salt about it (think Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Hands on hips, stomping foot, “I want it NOW!”) Can’t we all? However, we don’t always get what we want (cue the Rolling Stones), and in today’s scripture, the exiles certainly didn’t get their first choice.
Jeremiah 29:5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
I feel pretty certain that they would not have chosen to live in exile, building, settling, planting, harvesting, consuming, marrying, having and raising children to marry off so that they too can repeat the cycle. All of this in exile. But God has a plan.
Jeremiah 29:6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.
Precious Savior, Forgive me when I get so invested in my own plan that Yours seems like an inconvenience. Help me to trust You, always, even when it’s not what I want. Help me to never forget Your deep abiding love for me. Help me to be content in this day exactly where you have me. Amen.
Jeremiah 29:6b …Increase in number there; do not decrease.
Have a blessed day.