Scripture & Thought
Jeremiah 33:3 (The Message)
“This is God’s message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting; known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wonderful things that you could never figure out on your own.'”
You’ve heard the saying, I’m sure, “Mother told me I would have days like this, but not two in a row!” Some of you may be thinking, “I can handle a day or two, but a month?” All of us encounter bad times through life. A problem with our children; a discouraging report from our doctor; the sudden loss of a loved one; ugly weather with no end in sight; a set-back at work; a persisting pain that won’t go away. All of it is bad.
Well, Jeremiah was locked up in jail when God spoke to him! This was no voluntary imprisonment. Where did he get the pen and ink to write from prison? How could he concentrate on listening to God and write words of encouragement when bad things were happening around him? How was he able to preserve his writings until he could get them to a safe place? I don’t know.
I know this. In spite of his surroundings, Jeremiah heard the Lord speak. He was able to shut out the sounds of prison to hear clearly the word of the Lord. And even more exciting is the fact that God had good news for him and for the people! Earlier in chapter 32, Jeremiah wrote, “God’s message came: ‘Stay alert! I am God, the God of everything living. Is there anything I can’t do?'”
My friends, I have no idea where you will be when you read these words. It may be at work; it may be at home. It may be at a time when you are “locked in” by your circumstances. Maybe this week has been one of the worst weeks of the year for you. No matter. When you feel overwhelmed by the hits of the devil, God has good news for you. The answer to the question “Is there anything that God can’t do?” is NO!
Take God at His word. Claim a victory right now. Pray this prayer with me:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, there are some things going on in my world that I want to see changed. In my own strength I am not able to change them. Some situations are beyond my capacity to change. It would be easy for me to become disheartened about some of them. On the other hand, I have seen your power at work in positive ways in my life. We have talked about some of these situations; you have answered prayer in mighty ways. You have resolved situations even before I expressed the need. My faith has been uplifted. That is why I have confidence to approach you today. You know my heart. Hear my concerns now. Calm my heart. Let me hear you speak, Lord. I am listening.
Amen.