I really enjoy it when I get “stuck” on one particular scripture or line of thought when
studying the Word over a period of days, how
about you? I was in a bit of a fog first
thing today when I sat down to my bible study program but seemed to instantly
come awake as I scanned through different translations of Jeremiah 29:11. I was expecting to move on to another
scripture, but God had different plans!
The Good News Bible concludes Jeremiah 29:11’s discussion on
God’s plans for you and me by declaring that they are “plans to bring about the future you
hope for.” It is kind of interesting
to note that the first bible that I ever owned was a paperback version of the
Good News Bible that my future wife gave me in our early dating days back in
1970!
I still remember walking down the hallway in my folk’s home on
the day Piper presented it to me and thumbing through it thinking “Hummmm… interesting!” I also recall sitting at the kitchen table
and trying to make heads or tails of it.
To Piper it was a jewel of great price.
I had a ways to go to reach her understanding of it… and something
inside me seemed to be urging me on… and you know? It
still does!
The thought that sprung forth in my mind this morning after
reading that version was the nagging question ringing in my ears: “how
badly do you want it?” In other
words, what future am I expecting and am I willing to do whatever it takes to
attain it? It was a question that was
fresh inside me due to an incident in the wee hours of the morning.
After about an hour of sleep I was awakened by Piper’s
coughing as she dealt with nasal drip. I
was almost immediately brought to frustration and questioned the Lord as to why
this keeps happening! After getting up
on numerous occasions, I finally got back into bed and realized that He has the
answer. I just needed to get serious
about finding out what it is! Like with
the dementia diagnosis, there isn’t much more that the medical field can
do. We think we know what it is, but
have not been able to find anything to arrest its symptoms. Once again I realized that He alone holds the
key to Piper’s deliverance. At that
point I simply began to thank Him for His answers and was able to get some
semblance of sleep!
As I read further into chapter twenty nine of Jeremiah, I
found the answer to the how’s and Who’s of getting answers. The next two verses tell us that we are to call
upon Him and that He will answer us and that when we seek Him we will find Him “because you will seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13
GNB) The King James Version uses the
word “search” instead of “seek” and the modern God’s Word © translation talks about “wholeheartedly”
seeking Him. The phrase “wholeheartedly seek” is probably the
best understanding of the original Hebrew similar to the Greek word used in the
King James’ translation of Hebrews 11:6 where the writer tells us “for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
To “seek” in both places infers “to crave, search out, to seek with a demand
and with application and to worship.” (Strong’s) It means to not give up until you get your
answer or receive what you are expecting. A
Pastor’s wife once described my wife as being like a bulldog. She explained that once Piper set her faith
on something she would not let go until she received what she was believing
for!” And I remind Piper of that statement on a regular basis as we stand for
her total and complete healing.
That is the same
kind of determination that you and I are to have as we seek directions and/or
answers from God for the situations we face in this life! It really bothers me when I see others in the
family who have basically given up any positive expectations or hopes for my wife’s
future. But you know… I can’t let that move me or my faith. If anything it makes me hold on tighter to
what we believe to be God’s will for her.
Is that the same
way you approach your future? Are you
willing to do whatever it takes to find out God’s plans for your life and then
see it through until they are reached? Are
you craving for God’s best for your life?
I know that I am! I believe that
kind of drive and determination marks you and me as one of God’s
favorites! Would you agree?
Have a great
mid-week. Stay on top of your faith in God’s
Word and keep asking yourself… “What or
Who’s plans am I expecting to see through until complete fulfillment today?”
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