Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Promise and Patience

Julie Jacob
Long Island MTC, NY


 "7 But 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 find your welfare."

The backdrop of this passage falls after the ransacking of Jerusalem. The people of Israel have been taken into captivity and left with the prospect of being held in exile for 70 years. And as God spoke to His people, His words to them were not ones of quick resolution, instead they were told to settle in for the long haul.
At first glance, it would be easy to wonder how God would be willing to let his people be removed from their land, and then keep generations from returning to it. A quick reflexive reaction does not allow us any further clarity or thought beyond the immediate confined existence that lay ahead. But God was not condemning His people, as we see within the passage “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.” God further makes the point that the welfare of the city will be where they find their welfare. To put it another way, for in the city’s peace, the people would find their peace. It was God’s desire that His people continue to flourish and grow even in circumstances that were less than ideal and that if they worked for the welfare of the city, they would in turn find their own.
With respect to our own lives, when the unexpected finds its way to disrupt our plans, we must remain steadfast in God’s promise. Though we may find it difficult to patiently wait and work as God intended, it is only in the fullness of that time, working whole heartedly as God calls us to, will we be ready for the future and hope that God promises us. 

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray that even in the times that we feel like exiles, alone, that You remind us to continue to strive for Your glory. Lord, help us to recognize that all moments in our lives help shape us for the purpose and future You have for us. In Your holy and precious name,
Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
We are clay in the Potter’s hand; it is only through slow molding and fire can we be made ready for His purpose.
 
 

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more