Many of us desperately cry out for God to deliver us from devastating circumstances. We want a marriage restored, a child rescued from drug addiction, a harsh, critical boss to change his demeanor, or maybe we want healing from a terminal illness. On and on goes the list of things we beseech God to change on our behalf. What if, instead of begging God to change our circumstances, we plead for Him to change us, to give us a deeper longing for Him, to develop Christ-like character within us?
In Jeremiah 29-30, God tells His people through the prophet Jeremiah He is sending sword, famine, and pestilence. Because they have done outrageous things, He is bringing extremely difficult circumstances into their lives. He goes on to tell them His purpose for allowing these things is to turn their hearts away from their idols and back to Him as the one true God. As Jeremiah proclaims the coming destruction to Israel, he himself recognizes this is a grief he too must bear.
God didn’t intend to change the circumstances. He intended to change His people. God proclaims the suffering is for their good.
In our pain, we struggle to see how God can bring us any good from it. But, one definition for "good" is beneficial in the end results. If God’s end result is to create a people who have a heart for Him, His end clearly justifies His means, regardless of how difficult it is.
Father, create in us a heart that desires to grow in Christ character, and to please you above all else, regardless of what tools You need to use in our lives. Amen.
Go Deeper — Study Jeremiah 29-30. Identify the specific difficulties God sent into the lives of His people and discover what was necessary for His people to find Him in the mist.
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