I have a good plan for you

Why do Christians become frustrated? Why do we become so anxious and restless? Christians become frustrated because they are always trying to change their environment, their lives, the lives of others, and they perceive their own solution that are best for themselves. If we are God's children, then HE is in full control of our lives yet it is us who are always wrestling with God.

We are anxious and restless because we think we need to be somewhere else. We think we need to be doing something else. We think someone who is in our lives need to change rather than seeing the need to be changed ourselves. 

Many Christins do not perceive their own deception nor sin. God is constantly trying to cleanse us of our idols as HE Loves, disciplines, and orders our steps. But since many do not know HIS ways, we end up wrestling with HIM. We end up resisting the Holy Spirit. We must first, as HIS people, learn to know how to be still in HIM. We must learn to be still and know HE is God. 

Many Christians are in situations in which they perceive it as not God's will for their lives. But if HE is in full control, then HE is in full control and we must learn to be still. 

In the book of Jeremiah, HIS people were full of sin and idols as they broke HIS Sabbaths. After much warning, HE had exiled much of HIS people to Babylon. There was severe judgment on the land as HE said they would be so hungry they would even eat their own children. But yet through HIS mercy and grace, HE would still leave a remnant. But this remnant had to obey HIS Will. What was HIS Will? 

Today is no different. Many of God's people are in great sin full of idols as they break the 4th commandment. But we are not sent off in physical exile. However, we may be in a spiritual exile. Even in a spiritual exile, we are still able to attend church and worship HIM. But our lives may feel as though we are stuck. Our lives may feel there should be more, especially with the things of God. But breakthrough seems difficult to reach. 

God's people must learn to know how to wait for HIM. As we wait for HIM, we acknowledge and submit to HIS soverignty over our lives. It is not about our time. It is about HIS Time for HE is the King. 

When HIS people were sent off to Babylon, HE had an appointed time for them to be held captive. HE said they must stay there for 70 years. But in the meantime, HE told them to settle down, get married, have a life, farm (work), and pray for the warefare of Babylon. The welfare of Babylon would determine the welffare of their own lives. If they slandered and complained about Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar, then their own complaints would bring difficulties. Are today Christians praying for the welfare of our secular leaders and saying good things about this land or are Christains slandering through their self righteousness? King Nebuchadnezzar was their enemy but God was telling them to pray for him and his country. 

Jeremiah 29:4-7 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: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

Whatever situation God has for you. Whether you are experiencing an abusive unloving husband or wife, persecuting family, economic hardship, health issues, or whatever hardship, God wants you to be still instead of trying to change everyone around you. Why do we want to change everyone using God's name? In reality, it is for our own comfort as we use God's name to try to change people. You cannot change anyone. God is trying to change you through those difficult people and circumstances. Know the ways of the Lord. Know the way of the Cross. Be Still and know HE is God. HE says, "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." 

In the midst of all your storms, be still and keep your eyes on HIM which means just spend the quality time with HIM as you get in HIS Word, Pray, and Worship. Endure the time. Stop worrying about everything that is occuring around the world. In Jeremiah's time, the false prophets were those who preached peace rather than judgment and warning. Today, the false prophets are those who constantly preach about judgement and puts fear in God's people about the end of the world. They even claim to have visions of God giving them a map of the USA and how it will be destroyed. They been preaching like this since the 1980s. Yes, one day the Day of the Lord will come but HE even promised us that in the midst of destruction, HE will greatly bless HIS people. Then why should we have fear? The Day of the Lord will come on an individual basis for many of the false prophets and those that follow them. Repent and come back to your senses! 

Many of us may have to go through the spiritual 70 years of exile as we wait for HIM. This may not necessary mean a physical 70 years. Our spiritual 70 years may be different for each of us. But we must first learn to be patient, build our foundation in HIM and only as we are changed, then HE will change and save those you are praying for. 

Stop looking at your difficult circumstances. Stop being so impatient. Be Still and know HE is God. 

At the end of the 70 years of captivity, God promised HE would answer their prayers. But during the 70 years, they had to sow in prayer, HIS Word, and worship and wait for that appointed time. Do not let your spiritual labor go in vain by giving up. Continue to persever and endure for HE is coming for YOU! 

Jeremiah 29:10-14 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 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. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Pastor Steve Yong Kim 

Fire of God Church