Depend on God's Faithfulness

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 NLT)

We dropped our son off and I held back tears as I hugged him goodbye.

He is not eight and we didn’t leave him at camp for a week. He is 28 and we dropped him off at detox.

I’ve heard people say that when you have children you start wearing your heart on the outside.

I believe them. My heart feels like it is being stabbed.

But I cannot give up. Neither can he. Because of prayer. Because of the faithfulness of God. Because of His love.

You see, before our son was born, I prayed for a young man who would preach God’s Word and I got pregnant that same week. Often I’ve asked the Lord, “Are you sure it is him, Lord?” He keeps whispering, Trust.

The above verse comes from the passage in Jeremiah where the Lord is telling them they will be in exile for 70 years. Here is another excerpt from it, 

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:” Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!” (Jeremiah 29:4-6 NLT)

Sometimes, we may face a time of exile, just like Israel did. We cannot dwindle away. The Lord promises a future and a hope. If not in this world, in eternity. 

My sister tells me to press into God’s love. Depend on His faithfulness. I am grateful that my future does not rest on my effort but on Him.

So, last night after I moped around for several days, I got up and went to our greenhouse. I harvested produce. Purple eggplant, red and yellow tomatoes, and orange peppers sit in a bowl on my dining room table. My husband and I moved a portable fence and put it away. And then I swept the porch of our workshop.

I know God well enough to know that the way the future will unfold will probably be much different than I imagine. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and magnificent. He knows the future and His plans are good. I am trusting that.

So, for now, I carry on. I plant gardens and look for grandchildren. And trust.

How about you? Are you in exile? Move forward. Press into God’s love. 

And trust.

Copyright © 2019 Pauline Hylton, used with permission.