Hosanna Restoration Church

Sometimes time seems to fly; sometimes it seems like it is at a standstill and it always seems that our tendency is to concentrate the wrong side of it. In other words, rather than simply being in the time we are in, we are robbed of what could have been thinking about what we have missed or might miss. It is like getting a puppy and then refusing to enjoy it because it is just going to turn into a dog! Why not enjoy the puppy and the dog?
God was encouraging Israel to flourish where they were. Since God told them to flourish, it must mean that He would help them to do so. So many times, when we are in an uncomfortable spot our tendency may be to just sit and mope rather than to go ahead and flourish. So what if it will take time to work out; keep going. We all know that when we just keep going, before we know it the end of whatever it is comes; if we will let it that is. That is another story.
Whatever we do, we must guard against going back to Egypt. Egypt is the world or old ways of doing, thinking, and being. Some people just never can seem to focus on what God promises and therefore head back to what has happened before. Usually what happened before was because they just could not turn the corner and accept what God promised.
Have you ever been guilty of knowing what God has said and understanding that in fact His word is true, but not being willing to believe it could be for you? We all have on occasion I am sure. In those instances, we simply turned our back on the promises and marched back into captivity thinking.
God told the people to accept where they were and grow and prosper and be ready at the end of seventy years. Of course some of them looked at that length of time, knowing they would die there. Others did not pay any attention to that many years because it was too long to think of, but all who did what God said, got what He promised.
Verse 11 goes on to say that God knows the plans he has for them and those plans are for good and for a future and for a hope. In truth, it sounds like the seventy years had potential to be all of that even it was not in the perfect place.
Before we were saved, my bride and I traveled a lot and sometimes we would drive through places and look at massive homes etc. We were planning for great success and living in a different place while we did it. We had no idea that our success would be found in the Lord and His goodness. I guess the key for us was accepting the shift when it came! The question in all things becomes our accepting the plans that the Lord has for us. They are good. Go with them.