Just to recap, God's people have lost their focus on God. They have sinned in big ways for a long time at this point. Back in the day, God is referring to His people with ties to Israel and Jerusalem. Bad news is in the works because God is going to do what He has to do to to get people to remember Him and know who He is. His plans are not nice and easy to read.
And in today's reading, we are reminded of God's sovereignty in the world.
Because not only does God have plans for HIS people in Israel and Jerusalem, God also has plans for surrounding nations. Specifically, God talks about His plans for Tyre, a popular merchant town.
The specifics don't get to me as much today as this hint at God's bigger picture.
Do you know what I noticed?
Although our individual experiences on earth fluctuate somewhere between perfect goodness and the lowest and hardest of lows, God's goal is always new life with Him.
No matter who we are, where we live, how we live, or even what we believe, God has big plans in the works right this very minute for all of His creation.
Tyre has gotten too big for its britches, letting pride get in the way of what is "right," and God has no plans for "rebuilding" Tyre in the reading for today. A bigger way to look at this situation is to realize that this nation who doesn't open its heart to God is missing out on God's willingness to rebuild, restore, and bless His people with new life.
God says,
"In the pride of your heart
you say, 'I am a god;
I sit on the throne of God
in the heart of the seas.'
But you are mere mortal and not a god,
though you think you are as wise as a god."
Thank goodness God's sovereignty is bigger than our choices. So we can either believe and rely on our awesome creator and find everlasting grace and hope or we can choose to go our own way. It definitely matters to God what we choose, but we won't stop Him or get in His way of transforming the world with His love.
We can't forget the promise God shared with another prophet named Jeremiah during this same time period...
"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."
A prayer for today-
Dear God,
I thank You for Your sovereignty in the world. I also thank You for Your plans to give us hope and a future in Christ.
Forgive me for all the ways I fail to hear Your direction for my life. Help me to let go of all that separates me from Your love and Your plans for me.
I need Your direction, Lord, each and every day. Thank You for being with me and for blessing me in so many ways.
I pray for Your guidance right now when it comes to ____________________. Tell me and show me what to do.
I also pray that you pour out Your blessings upon _____________________. You know exactly what's needed.
You are the way and the truth and the life.
In the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen
In Christ's love,
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