“Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished.” ~ Jeremiah 29:6
REFERENCE:
Life doesn’t always mimic storybooks; life can be tough. If we had our way, we would rather things were easier, better, and more meaningful. However, plans don’t always go as planned, purposes are disappointed, and life often surprises us. The enemy’s cruelty comes at us as bitter as lemons, but we must learn to turn lemons into lemonades.
Life dealt God’s chosen people a bad hand; although a people of covenant and loved by God, things had gotten so bad that they later found themselves in Babylon, a land of captivity. Just like anyone in the same situation would do, their earnest cry was, “God, get us out of here.” We can’t wait to get back home.” However, against what they wished, God answered differently.
God knew that life had thrown lemons at them. He devised a strategy to make lemonade out of their lemon of pain, loss, or ashes. He told them, “This season may last a little longer than usual; just make the most of it.” He sent the prophet to tell them to plant gardens, get married, bear children, and increase in numbers. Increase in numbers? Why so in captivity and adversity? God was training them to look at life through His word and make lemonades.
For your trouble, God will give you double. Maybe it is the loss of a job, delayed payment while your loan accrues interests, or ‘slow’ business. You may be living in a place you don’t like, working on a job you don’t like, in situations you wish and pray may change quickly, and you have postponed ‘living’ and ‘enjoying life’ till things get better – when you marry, get a job, get a house of your own, or when the government changes.
The Jews turned the lemon of their captivity into lemonades: out of their eater came something to eat. God will bring beauty from your ashes and make your life a joy; believe this prophecy, and you will prosper (2 Chronicles 7:20b). Don’t let your tears block your vision, and just because you are in captivity does not exclude you from prosperity – Joseph prospered while in prison.’ Refuse to live a bitterlemon life; commit to making a lemonade out of life.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Exodus 1:7-12, Psalm 61:1-2, and Psalm 118:13-15
PRAYER:
+ Lord, I thank You because You are aware of the times and seasons of my life, and You intend to bring beauty out of my life.
+ I refuse to let my adverse conditions condition me negatively. Out of the eater, I will find something to eat.
+ My bitter experiences are henceforth turned to testimonies of joy and victory, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.