A Closer Walk
Is there any hope for us during these trying times? "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope,'" Jeremiah 29:11 NASB. The Lord proclaimed this to the ancient Israelites after they had been conquered by the Babylonians and taken into exile by them. God spoke to them through the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah while they were captives in a foreign land.
We haven't been taken to a foreign country, but we have been forced into a foreign lifestyle. Many of us have been instructed to stay home from work. We have been directed by our government to stay in our houses. Consequently we have been exiled into our homes. Some businesses are closed, others are offering only diminished services. This is done in an attempt to keep as many people in our country as possible from coming down with the corona virus. But we have hope in our Lord and our God. For example, most of the people who do contract the virus, recover and go on with their lives.
Our Lord has plans for us just like He did for the ancient Israelites. Plans for welfare and not calamity. Plans to give us a future and a hope. We may not understand why He is doing what He is doing, but we can rest in the assurance that He loves us, and cares for us. So much so that He was willing to send His Only Begotten to pay the penalty for our sin, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and to fill us with the righteousness of Christ. Further, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name," John 1:12 NASB. The Lord is our Father, and we are His children. Also He has promised, "...I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," Hebrews 13:5 NASB.
Here is a quote someone posted online (author unknown). "Our grandparents were called to go to war to save our lives. Now, we are called to sit on our couches to save theirs. We can do this." There are silver linings in every dark cloud. Parents are now able to spend more time with their children. Families are playing games and having fun together. The home lives of families are being enriched because parents and children are able to spend more time together. Here is an interesting tidbit: As a company Wal-Mart has sold more than 30 million popsicle sticks. Why ? Home craft projects. Silver linings.
Another quote from Jeremiah. "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, 'Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens, and eat their produce...And 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 have welfare,'" Jeremiah 29:4-5 and 7 NAB. In our city's welfare will be our welfare. Here is a suggestion to help our community. Go to a local business, restaurant, or fast food place and buy a gift card. This gives them income right now, and gives us something to look forward to doing in the future. And oh by the way, if you are at a restaurant or fast food place, go ahead and order a meal from them. Or, on your way home from the non-food local business stop by a food establishment and pick up something on your way home. Two birds, one stone. Then perhaps next month repeat that with another local business. And as Jeremiah so eloquently states, "...seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf."
Look around. Silver linings are abundant. And may our God bless you during this trying time.