Jeremiah tells us to seek the Lord, and He will be found, but is this true? The answer to that question is yes! Before their exile, the people of Jerusalem didn’t seem to be seeking God. They didn’t listen to Jeremiah’s warnings and wanted to believe what their false prophets were saying.
In God’s timing, it would take uprooting and deportation to get the people to look up again. Unfortunately, it often takes a calamity in life for God to get our attention, whether on that day or today. Jeremiah 39:12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.[1]
Desperation Opens Our Hearts to Seek God
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 returning. God would use the exile to humble His people, where they would realize they were not in control.
Like the exiles, it takes a difficult time to discover that we are part of the problem. The Israelites needed a heart change where they would confess their sins and draw near to God. It would be during this time of humility that they would find God.
A few years ago, COVID-19 changed our world, but will it ever return to how it was? These past few years, we have realized that we are not in control as our world drifts away from God. We can be thankful that God doesn’t change, and we will find Him as we search for Him wholeheartedly.
If We Humble Ourselves and Pray, the Lord Will Light Our Darkness
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 I live and all the changes 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 a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path guiding me along my spiritual journey. Amen.
Seek the Lord and He will be found. To hear more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/light-in-exile
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.