…an expected end

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

(The musical interlude/inspiration – Martha Munizzi’s – I know the Plans – https://youtu.be/ja2XaS_JeDk)

In unsettling times – there is an expected end.

Currently, I have multiple heavy issues happening. I recognize I’m not the only one. Yes, for most – these are unsettling times. Between the normal life struggles of bills, work, and family, we are in the midst of a pandemic. I’m not sure how you are handling it. I’m just trying to write my way through this…

I don’t know about you but I am confessing – I’M STRESSED!! Stressed to the point of choosing to shut down. I decided last night that I would take a “mental health day” to slow down some and attempt to seek God and hear what He has to say to me.

As I woke this morning the phrase that resonated in my heart and mind was – “an expected end.” I then felt immense relief. God has an expected end for me. He has a plan.

I rolled over and turned to Jeremiah 29 in my Bible app. Here in this book were folk in captivity. A people who were moved from what they were accustomed to an unknown land. (Yeah, they had done some stuff to get there. I’m sure we have too.) Basically, they were unsettled, rattled, and probably feeling a plethora of emotions.

Sound familiar?

As I read, I began to see what God spoke to them could also apply to me. Hopefully this will help you too.

First our Omnipotent God let them know He’s in control. He caused them to be in that place/situation.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He then told them do what they would normally do to care and keep themselves. He let them know that even in the place they were, they would not diminish – but increase. (GLORY!)

“Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God told them to seek for and then be in peace through prayer. Don’t seek out or gravitate to the chaos and confusion that can come in unsettled times.

“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God warned them – don’t be fooled or bamboozled by foolishness.

“For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He let them know in His time things will be better…

“For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God then spoke the words to them which give me a large portion of peace and rest I am experiencing right now.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:10-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He has an expected end for me. He has an expected end to all of this for you. Hold on, keep the faith and be encouraged!