In Jeremiah 29 God speaks to a people in exile who are hoping their troubles will soon be over. Bad news for them – God says, “Nope, it’s not ending soon. You’ve got 70 years left!”
But He also offers some hope to a nation of people that have turned their backs on God.
“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.” (Jer. 29:11-14, NIV)
I love that promise: “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.”
Where is God in the midst of a pandemic? He’s here. He’s everywhere. And He will listen when you come and pray to Him with a genuine heart.
It’s why He sent Jesus. To heal our hearts and bring us into a relationship with Him. And at times like these, we realize that maybe it’s our hearts that need healing most of all.
