Grow Where You Are Planted

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 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. 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.” Jeremiah 29:4-7 NIV

Israel was reaping what they had sown. Time and time again God had warned them, through the prophets, that if they continued to turn away from Him to other gods and participate in their detestable practices, He would allow their enemies to conquer them and take them into captivity. They, like we do so often, ignored His word and continued in their sin. And, as He always is, He was true to His word! Yet even as they bore His punishment, He sent them words of hope and gave them the wisdom they needed to make the best of the difficult situation. God is always looking out for the best interest of His children!

Maybe you are in a tough situation today, either by way of reaping what you’ve sown or by no fault of your own. Either way, Jeremiah offers good advice. He essentially tells them to grow where they are planted. Make the best of your situation and move forward. What ever situation you find yourself in today, make the best of it! You may not like where God has allowed life to take you, but settle down there, until He moves you somewhere else, and live. Don’t be allow the circumstances to keep you from experiencing joy!

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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV

Keep this perspective when you are in tough situations: It will not last forever! If you are a servant of God, He has great plans for your life! Yes, you can experience joy in the toughest of circumstances.  Where ever you are in life, call on God, and He will listen to you!!! That’s great news! God is not hiding from you, even if you are reaping the result of sinful choices! He wants you to seek Him. And remember, God will not leave you to struggle where you are forever! He will carry you back! His plans are for your restoration, for your good! Trust Him, and draw near to Him, and seek Him with all your heart!