Don't Give Up On God
I can't imagine what it would be like to be in prison in a foreign country for 37 years. That is what happened to king Jehoiachin of Judah when he was taken to Babylon at the fall of Jerusalem. I am sure there were times of discouragement and depression, longing for freedom and home. The Bible does not say anything about what he did during his captivity. I hope he realized he needed to seek the Lord, but no one knows. However, after 37 years, the new king of Babylon let him out of prison, he elevated him higher than the other kings in Babylon, and he ate at the king's table the rest of his life. (II Kings 25:27,29) That should be a great lesson for all of us.
It is easy to give up on God. This is especially true when we have been praying for something for years, or when we have been suffering for years. One thing that causes us to give up is that we think God should be like a genie and do whatever we ask. We think He ought to be on our timetable, too. Therefore, when things don't happen quickly, we can get mad at God and give up. That is always the wrong thing to do. We ought to spend our time asking God to draw us close to Him and to teach us through our situation. We should keep praying and know that with God all things are possible. Then, when He does choose to meet our need in His way and timing, we should be so grateful and give Him all of the praise and thanks. Hopefully, we are ready for what happens next because we have learned through that time, and we are better for it.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 2-4.
It is easy to give up on God. This is especially true when we have been praying for something for years, or when we have been suffering for years. One thing that causes us to give up is that we think God should be like a genie and do whatever we ask. We think He ought to be on our timetable, too. Therefore, when things don't happen quickly, we can get mad at God and give up. That is always the wrong thing to do. We ought to spend our time asking God to draw us close to Him and to teach us through our situation. We should keep praying and know that with God all things are possible. Then, when He does choose to meet our need in His way and timing, we should be so grateful and give Him all of the praise and thanks. Hopefully, we are ready for what happens next because we have learned through that time, and we are better for it.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 2-4.