“For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10.

My Father’s job on the railroad took him away from home four to five days out of the week. Dad had a little black bag or grip for his things; and when he left for work, we would always say, “Daddy, bring us something back!” We would hug, kiss, and say our parting goodbyes. Daily life would go on, but when it was time to pick daddy up from the train station, and he came into the house…the first place my brother Reggie and I ran was for that black grip! We had no doubt that daddy had brought something home in it for us to enjoy . . . and sure enough, just as he promised, there would be a treat for us all!

The account of the Israelites captivity into Babylon in Jeremiah chapter twenty-nine teaches us of God’s faithful promises to deliver His children. Deuteronomy 7:9 state “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”  The prophesy had been told and they would have to remain in captivity for seventy years…but in the midst of what appeared a dire situation, a promise was given “For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10. God promised to shew forth His goodness and mercy once again towards His people.

The waiting had begun for the promise of deliverance, but they were not admonished to wait in fear, or remorse; but to live each day by faith in the place that God had place them for that specific time. “Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” Jeremiah 29:6-7.

What a wonderful confirmation and testimony to the grace and loving kindness of God, in the lives of His children. We too must walk by faith while we wait on the promises of God. His word is faithful and true, He will come through on every promise that He has made. We must simply believe . . . Hebrews 11:6 state “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

This day let us seek Him for guidance and peace, walking in the assurance that He is faithful to His promises. Nothing that is occurring is outside of the will of God, like the Israelites, we are exactly where God wants us to be at this very moment; even in the midst of a pandemic and all the other circumstances that are transpiring in our lives, we can rest assured that they are all orchestrated by His divine counsel. “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.

God loves us, we can settle it in our hearts, that whatever He allows is best. Resting in the power of God allows us to defeat all the fiery darts of the enemy who sends fear, depression, and unbelief; but we have the victory in our Great and Almighty God.

So, let us take one day at a time knowing that our waiting is not in vain. God’s goodness, compassion, love, and power will never fail. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

Great is God’s mercy towards us all, rest in His promises!