Photo I took of one of our favorite blankets. The pattern reminds me of how God is orderly and knows the plans he has for us.
Verses to Abide In
“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…”” Jeremiah 29:11-14a NIV
Questions
When have you sought the Lord recently; what was it about?
Did you find him?
Brainstorm Answers
Here are some answers to the questions above that we discussed in my ladies’ small group. It is not an exhaustive list, but a blessing to hear each other’s stories in seeking him and finding him in the trials. In each one of these instances He was found.
•Seeking him about truth versus lies
•Seeking him about finances. A new car
•Seeking God about revealing schemes of others, being shrewd
•Seeking God, crying out to God with prayer and fasting for our children
•Seeking God with others
•Seeking God with prayers and requests
•Seeking God about timing
•Seeking God for wisdom, discernment, and/or direction
•Seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first
From the Heart
“Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased…
“I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me…”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.”
Numbers 11:10, 14, 16–17 ESV
I have been seeking God in how he has shown me has heard my prayers as we have been in these verses.
I resonate with Moses when he prayed, “the burden is too heavy for me.”
I look back when I got a call a week ago that I need to get iron infusions again. What I really wanted to do—when the admin started talking of scheduling details for the three infusions to come—was cry and process. The admin pushed me into action mode which was what I needed in that moment. But first my spirit was calling out to God for help, I made one call and then I contacted my prayer partners as an extension of my prayers.
Was that not also the extension of God hearing my prayers and providing in that moment as he provided the 70 elders and leaders to bear the burdens with Moses? I believe so. He provided support spiritually, emotionally, as well as physically with one sister driving and going with me on this journey into the city each week.
I sought God and I found him.
Let's Pray
Last week we focused on seeking God in prayer; this week let’s focus on finding him.
Abba, we bow our knees before you, from whom every family in heaven and on earth was made (Ephesians 3:14–15 ESV).
We trust that without faith it is impossible to please you, to walk with you, so we draw near to you in faith. We believe that you exist and that you reward those who earnestly and diligently seek you (Hebrews 11:6 ESV; AMP).
“Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him [securely] on high, because he knows My name [he confidently trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no, never].
“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
“With a long life I will satisfy him and I will let him see My salvation.”
(Psalm 91:14–16 AMP)
We trust your word, “‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord …”
In the name of Jesus we pray. “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9–10). Yes! This is the One we have found! Thank you! Amen!
Finally here is the whole song recorded at Karen’s Place live!
“For I Know the Plans, Jeremiah 29:11-14a”
May you seek and find Jesus in a new way,
Laura
P.S. I had my first of a round of three iron infusions last week. I had a poor reaction to the iron, as usual. It was touch and go for a bit, nearing the prospect of going to the ER, as they were coming to the end of ways to help me breathe normally again with greater depth and without chest pains. But God was with me. I found him in that small infusion room. And he gave me grace and peace. I became grateful for breathing normally again after a neb treatment and so blessed to be able to go home without the trip to the ER. Thank you, Lord!