God's Thoughts Toward You

Someone said that the worst heartaches to endure are the ones that we bring upon ourselves. Undoubtedly that was why Israel's 70 years of captivity was all the more difficult for them. It was a hardship that they had brought upon themselves because they had so repeatedly disobeyed and rebelled against the Lord.

However God in His grace promised them through his prophet in Jeremiah 29:10 -- 14 that their long and arduous captivity would end after 70 years. They would then be allowed to return to their land that God had given them. Within these verses we find words that have been a great source of hope and comfort to many of God's people down through the years. Verse 11 says, "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."

Dear Christian friend God has good thoughts toward you. You may be going through a period in life that could be called captivity. We can all feel trapped in our circumstances for many different reasons. Sometimes our difficulties are not of our own making but sometimes they are. Certainly the worst sort of hardship is the one caused by our own failures. That is why Israel found itself in exile. But yet God never took his eyes off them and he promised that one day He would bring them back not only to their land but to their Lord. His word to them in verses 12 -- 13 is precious "Then shall you call upon me, and ye shall go and pray to 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."

Wherever we may find ourselves today this verse speaks clearly. It is a promise just as sure for people today as it was for God's people in Jeremiah's day. If you become conscious of your need and set your heart on seeking God you can be sure to find Him. You will find cleansing, peace, joy, victory in and through the loving Lord Jesus Christ who always delights to welcome his children home. Dear friend, God does love you and so do we at First Baptist Church.