As the New Year comes in many of us make resolutions to become better individuals. For years, I chose wealth and health, in that order. I pursued. I overcame, I accomplished. Through it all was a small candle burning in the background. One which I had lit many years prior. This candle was my light when I could not see. And when I could see, the candle was behind me forcing me to put my best foot forward. One thing is for certain, without this candle, I would not have been able to accomplish my yearly resolutions. This was my foundation.

In Jeremiah Chapter 29, starting verse 4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you.

Now, in passage we are able to draw our similarity to the exiles. Through many years we have been exiled from Jerusalem and starting verse 5 we have our instructions. Build your houses and settle down. Create a loving family and find peace in the life you live.

Starting in verse 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

If you pursue God, you will overcome, and so will you accomplish.

All verses are in NIV version of the Bible.

If you enjoyed this please make sure to upvote and follow. Thank you.