There is More to the Story

It is interesting that we hear only parts and neglect to listen to the whole.

“10Thus says the Lord: In this place of which you say, ‘it is a waste without man or beast,’ in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant beast, there shall be heard again 11the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: ‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.” – Jeremiah 33:10-11 (ESV)

Here, Jeremiah is telling of the promised restoration of Judah. Doesn’t restoration come after or in an effort to overcome destruction or desolation? Imagine being in the days of Jeremiah and speaking of the destruction of Judah and then turning around to speak of the restoration and the greatness to come. The people were hearing the parts and may have missed the whole and therefore were not heading the warnings Jeremiah was bringing.

The thing I have to remember is from verse 11 above that God’s “steadfast love endures forever!” How often are we found in a situation where all seems to be lost? We are wondering where to go next? We must remember that God’s promises we can hang our hat on and know that we will be restored. This is the whole story.

I tend to focus in on the thing that is being spoken and neglect to put the whole thing together and for that I miss out. When I listen to what is being said, match it up against what I know, I am able to appreciate the whole and am able to move forward with confidence.

God has a great and wonderful plan for us, we have to take the time to listen, match it up, and appreciate the whole so that we can experience the greatness of God and his rewards for us.

Will you take the time to listen? Match up? Appreciate the whole? How much more consistent would our actions be when we are more deliberate in our movements after we understand the whole?