This morning I found it difficult to understand the meanings and lessons, as is often the case. It was not until I dove deeper into the text and the commentary and really studied that I came to know what I believe God wanted from me this morning.
“28Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck down. Thus says the LORD: ‘Rise up, advance against Kedar! Destroy the people of the east! 31Rise up, advance against a nation at ease, that dwells securely, declares the LORD, that has no gates or bars, that dwells alone.’” – Jeremiah 49:28 & 31 (ESV)
As I read the full passage of Jeremiah 49:28-33, I was confused as to why the LORD would have wanted the to go to war over nations that had no physical protection. It did not make any sense. I just could not wrap my head around it, that was until I read a passage in Ezekiel that corresponds with verse 31 above.
In Ezekiel 38, there is the prophecy against Gog. Here, the LORD tells Gog that they will go against Israel, a secure nation, and will be destroyed by Him in the process.
Why does this now lead to my understanding? Well, God has plans for all and all of those plans are in place for His glory and not our own. Sometimes there are actions that need to take place that in the now don’t really seem to fit with the plans of God. But later, it will be understood that those actions made complete sense (the old, “hindsight is 20/20” thing).
I am not privy to the overall plans that God has for me, let alone the rest of the world or time. I can only deal with what is in store for me, right now. I have to take it that what God has planned is in accordance with His plan. Even when those plans seem to make no sense at all, like rising up against an unprotected nation. I have to make the decision to follow God and know that He is leading me down the path that will allow me to glorify Him.
I again do not know what will come of my immediate actions, but I do know that my final destination is with God in heaven. I know that my kingdom purpose right now is to provide for the growth and learning for others to improve their lives as an example of the love of Christ. I have to remember that in doing so, I may have to advance when things really do not make sense to me.
When have you had the opportunity to do something that did not make much sense to you? Did you go ahead with it? What if it was in God’s plan and you just went ahead and did it anyway?
Trevor's Thoughts 