In His own time
This is what the Lord says, when seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. “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 upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. (NIV) Jeremiah 29:10-12
In the beginning of the chapter, the prophet Jeremiah sends a letter to the people of Israel who were in exile at Babylon. Even though it was not mentioned that the people of Israel were hoping to return home soon, it is just normal that as humans, they would like to return to their homeland, Jerusalem, as soon as possible. But then, the message from the Lord said something else. It said they should build houses and settle down, plant gardens and eat what they planted. They should marry and have sons and daughters and their sons and daughters should also marry and multiply. Why would the Lord want his people to feel comfortable in another man’s land? Does He plan to leave them there forever?
In fact, the Lord does not abandon His own. The plan of the Lord is best known to Him and no one can understand it until He finally executes it.
In our problems, the Lord is asking us to be patient and wait on him and that, at the right time, He will deliver us. He seeks to let us know that, in our times of need, we should rejoice and fret not knowing that He is in control of affairs and will definitely calm the storm no matter how long it takes.
Song: In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me ev'ry day
As You're teaching me Your way
That You do just what You say in Your time.
-Diane Ball