Patience --- a reminder when it is hard to wait!!!

Are You Frustrated?

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

Does God's work in your world seem to go at a snail's pace? Do you feel frustrated that real change in your nation, your neighborhood, your family - your own soul - takes too long? Imagine how God's ancient peoples felt.

After Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem (586 BC), the Judeans who were taken into captivity questioned whether God had abandoned them. They struggled to understand how God's promise could be true that a descendant of David would always rule as king in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 7:13; Psalm 132:11-12). They grappled with their future: How long would they live in exile? Should they attempt to keep the Mosaic Law or adopt the laws of the Babylonians and their gods?

In the midst of these difficult times, Jeremiah offered the people hope: God had plans for them---plans for good and not for disaster. Through Jeremiah, God affirmed that He was still in control and still cared about His people. Years later, a group of exiles returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel and rebuilt the Temple (536 BC), with more returns and renewal in Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra (445 BC). And 400 years after that, He fulfilled His promise of a king through Jesus, a descendant of David.

It only takes a moment for us to read that snippet---"400 years"---but it was 10 generations for the Judeans. In this day of modern conveniences, we quickly grow weary praying for personal or societal circumstances. But God's people have always waited on Him (Job 24:1; Psalm 38:15; Romans 8:19). Modern Christians sometimes feel hopeless and abandoned---like the Judeans in captivity---but we can trust that God's plan, while often taking an achingly long time to come to pass, is certain to succeed.

YOUR VIEW OF GOD REALLY MATTERS...Just for today, remember, God will keep His promises and everything He has said will come to pass. Tomorrow, remember again.

Because God is faithful ... I will trust Him to always keep His promises.

Adapted from the Discover God Study Bible, page 1428.Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from New Living Translation.