RESTORATION OF OBEDIENT CAPTIVES
"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).
Nothing can be more soothing to the perplexed captives of Judah who were sorrowing in Babylon than the encouraging prophecies and words of Prophet Jeremiah. The message of the prophet was emphatic and compelling. He stated clearly that their captivity was for a determined period of time. Even in the seemingly evil and adverse situations, God's thought towards them was still of peace. At the expected time, He would "turn away [their] captivity, and [He] will gather [them] from all the nations, and from all the places whither [He] had driven [them]... and [He] will bring [them] again into the place whence [He] caused [them] to be carried away captive(s)" (Jeremiah 29:14).
God uses every situation including adversities to work out good for all that love Him. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..." (Romans 8:28). The ways of God are incomprehensible by man. That He would use the captivity to glorify Himself in Babylon through Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel was not foreseen by any mortal man. However, even Nebuchadnezzar who had earlier boasted that no God could deliver from his hands confessed that these saints were "servants of the Most high God", and that "no other God that can deliver after this sort" (Daniel 3:26, 29).
Are you passing through challenging times today? Believe God; it will end up in His glory. He said, "I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" (Malachi 3:6).