Stuck: How God Moves When We Feel StuckNäide

The prophet Jeremiah lived in a tumultuous time in Israel’s history. At one point Israel was a mighty nation feared by other kingdoms, but over and over chose to worship other gods over the One True God, leading to a hard downfall. Their selfishness and horrible decisions landed them in exile when the king of Babylon captured them and took them into his country.

Once again, the Israelites were stuck in captivity. It’s a devastating portion of Israel’s story, and feels like history repeating itself.

But God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah and asked him to write a letter to the people who were still stuck in exile in Babylon. God told His people they would be in exile for 70 years. Seventy years! Can you imagine? God told them to plant gardens, to build houses, and to seek peace – even while in exile.

Then God said the words that have become one of the most famous verses in the Bible. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Even though the exiles would have to stay there for 70 years, God still had good plans for them. God hadn’t forgotten about them. God can bring good things out of our darkness.

A lot of us would prefer it if God would airlift us out of our hard circumstances. But when we are faced with something, we can’t dig a hole to go under it or climb a wall to go over it. We have to go through it. The good news is, we don’t have to go through our circumstances alone. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us and be with us.

And just like the exiles, God has good plans and a hope and a future for each of us too.

Where do you see God’s good plans in your life today?