From Blunders to Blessings

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29; 49:34- 50:46

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD...” Jeremiah 29:11

Our compassionate God always offers His people hope. His grace is abundant and His mercy endless – even in the midst of His righteous punishment! Only God can bring blessings out of blunders.

And that’s what we see in today’s reading. Israel was suffering the blows of their blunders. They had been conquered by the Babylonians as a result of their idolatry and rebellion. But God, in His infinite goodness and grace, gives them a message of hope in the middle of what seemed like a hopeless mess.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord tells Jeremiah that Israel’s captivity would last seventy years. But that was not their end – God promised to redeem and restore His people to the Land of Promise.

“…When seventy years are completed… I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10 NIV (emphasis added)

Even in the midst of punishment and the consequences of our sin, our gracious God gives us hope and the promise of restoration.

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations… saith the LORD…” Jeremiah 29:12-14

 If you find yourself (or a loved one) being held captive by sin or experiencing the heart-ache of self-inflicted sin, remember that God offers forgiveness and restoration and can bless abundantly – even in the midst of blunders.

Keep Reading: 2 Kings 24:18-20; 2 Chronicles 36:9-14

by Sharon Kaselonis / All rights reserved ©