“I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you…” ~ Jeremiah 29:14
REFERENCE:
Every real affliction a believer goes through can rightly be called captivity – a situation where you feel incarcerated and incapacitated. Being in a situation you would rather not be in is captivity. The same is true when you feel held back from doing what you desire by an event or bound by the power of something you have no control over.
These afflictions (captivity) can be illnesses, getting stuck because of a wrong decision, an unabating marital conflict, trouble in the extended family, business loss, or problems with a wayward child. Amid captivity, you can find comfort in the promise of God to Israel, “I will bring you back from your captivity. I will gather you from all the places you have been driven.” You may have been ‘driven’ into challenging situations; God says, “I will bring you back.”
Any trouble a Christian encounters has an end; captivity won’t last. Heaven will offer us our ultimate release from captivity, which should encourage our hearts; be assured that you will taste deliverance even here. Our light afflictions will work out a weight of glory for us.
God permits captivity because He sees a better you emerge at the end. It is like the hammer strokes of a sculptor, each of which removes some imperfection or brings some new loveliness to view. Think of how trials drew you closer to God, made you pray, and opened your eyes to certain scriptures. David said, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word.”
From our text, God put some conditions that Israel should meet before He turned their captivity. Captivity will last for as long as the conditions remain unfulfilled. Your captivity will be short-lived if you pay attention to and cultivate them.
a. A willing acceptance of God’s discipline and patient submission to it (Jeremiah 29:10).
b. Unswerving confidence in God (Jeremiah 29:11).
c. Fervent prayer (Jeremiah 29:13).
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Hebrews 12:5-11 & Psalm 119:67
PRAYER:
+ Father, I may not understand why some affliction arises, but I trust Your love and wisdom. It will turn for my good, and I will come out better. My captivity will not last. I have confidence in the integrity of Your word of promise.
I lift this prayer to You this morning. I command every chain of captivity be broken; every door of limitation be opened so that I may possess my possessions, in Jesus’ name.
