Rays of Hope: Daily Devotions for Encouraged Souls

SUNDAY, 5 MAY 2024

TEXT: Jeremiah 29:1-11

1: This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

2: (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.)

3: He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:

4: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.

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. Increase in number there; do not decrease.

7: Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

8: Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.

9: They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.

10: This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.

11: 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.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: GOD'S GRACE OVERFLOWS EVEN IN SUFFERING

God's promise to send Judah into captivity in Babylon was fulfilled and lasted for 70 years. This is one of the prophetic pronouncements that was fulfilled to the letter which further authenticates God's message and messenger.

Rather than wallow in safe - pity and pain because they were living like slaves in a foreign land, God charged Judah to live a normal life. He followed this instruction with an extravagant expression of abundant grace upon His people.

Note that they were taken to Babylon as war booty, perhaps driven like slaves, but God assured them of His sustaining grace. This is why He told them to release themselves, live a normal life and take part in the socioeconomic life of Babylon while maintaining their purity.

God's grace will always be available to us even when we are being punished for our rebellion.

QUESTION: When was the last time that you paused and considered God's grace to you despite your transgressions?

PRAYER: O Lord, forgive me the many times I have taken Your grace for granted and wandered far off. Help me to stay on course, in Jesus name. Amen.