When the Way is Unclear

Jeremiah 33:1-3 ~

While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the Lord gave him this second message: “This is what the Lord says—the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the Lord: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.

The city of Jerusalem was under siege from the Babylonians and the prophet Jeremiah was imprisoned in the guard's courtyard when a word comes to Him from the Lord to give to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The Lord tells them that they are about to be handed over to the Babylonians, but He also assures them that they will see peace in the land in the future.

Though it seems bleak and ask if they have been abandoned, the Lord reminds them that they cannot see the whole picture. They cannot perceive what is coming down the road.

We often give in to depression and despair when faced with difficult times. We feel abandoned by God and the way out seems very unclear. And yet, God sees what's coming. He is still with us regardless of how we feel and what we are facing. He knows what the end result is.

Jeremiah was given this message while imprisoned. I'm sure the message wasn't just for the people of Jerusalem, but for Jeremiah as well. He may have felt abandoned and hopeless, but God assures Him that something is coming that Jeremiah can't see. And the message seems to be one of trust.

As we go through the times of despair and discouragement, trust is often the only thing that will see us through. We take one step forward into the unknown and trust in the Lord's faithfulness. Trust in His wisdom. Trust in His goodness and trust that His way is greater than ours.

In verses, 14-16 the Lord says, 

“The day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.

“In those days and at that time
    I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line.
    He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
In that day Judah will be saved,
    and Jerusalem will live in safety.
And this will be its name:
    ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’"

We know that descendant was Jesus, the Messiah. Though the Israelites didn't know it, the Lord's plan was so much bigger than they thought and encompassed the whole world. 

God's plan for our life is much larger than we can even imagine. As we trust in Him and keep moving forward regardless of whether we can see the path or not, we will see that the Lord will do what He promises and accomplish His purpose for our lives.