Does the Lord make Himself available to those who are truly seeking Him? The answer to that question is yes! Prior to their exile, the people of Jerusalem didn’t seem to be seeking God. They didn’t listen to the warnings Jeremiah had given and wanted to believe what their false prophets were saying. It would take an uprooting and deportation to get the people to look up again. Jeremiah’s letter alludes to this. Jeremiah 29:12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.[1]
Jeremiah says, “in those days” and “when you look wholeheartedly.” When the exiles received this letter, they were in a time of desperation. Everything in their life had changed and was upside down. They had entered a new normal and the old way of life was not coming back. God would use the exile to humble His people. They began to realize that they were not the ones in control. It would take this difficult time for them to realize that they were part of the problem. They needed a heart change, one in which they would confess their sins and draw near to God. It was then when they would find God.
As I write this, Covid 19 has changed the world in which we live. We do not know if it will ever go back to the way it was. I think we all have realized that we are not in control as our world changes daily. But the one thing that doesn’t change is God. He keeps His promises and promises that we will find Him as we search for Him with our whole hearts. During this, the Lord calls us to come to Him in prayer just as the exiles did. He is not far away and if we humble ourselves and pray the Lord hears us.
James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” [2]
Proverbs 8:17I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. [3]
Luke 11:9And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.[4]
Deut. 4:29But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him. [5]
Prayer: Lord, the time in which I live and all the changes that are taking place are overwhelming. Lord, I need your help, encouragement and peace just get through today. Thank you Lord you are always there for me. Your word is truly a lamp to my fight and light to my path that shepherds me along my spiritual journey. Amen.
To hear more about hope for refugees, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-for-refuges
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.