Sunday Night Blog, March 17, 2013

I am glad to be watching the Bible on the History Channel tonight, because of the amazing true story of one of the greatest of all people in the Old Testament. His name is Daniel. He has a lot to teach us about living in “Babylon.” Instead of fighting every single thing he disagreed with, Daniel picked and chose those situations to assist and to ignore. He chose to pray, to walk with his GOD, and to help his friends to prosper. Although in captivity in a horribly hostile society, Daniel chose to walk with GOD, and with God’s people. He also chose to make himself available to the conquering king so that the people of Israel could survive, even thrive while in this hostile place. He was able to carefully walk in holiness and still interact with a corrupt society. 

Remembering Daniel and the nation of Israel in captivity reminds me that we are to chose our battles, to interact with our society, and to help others to do well. Daniel knew about the prophecies of Jeremiah about a king named Cyrus, about the 70 years of captivity. He definitely knew these were promises for the captive nation of Israel, GOD’s chosen people.  These promises from Jeremiah may be read in a letter he wrote from GOD, in Jeremiah 29. The verse I want to consider tonight, Jeremiah 29:11, goes like this: 

“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.”

There are a number of verses in the New Testament that are pulled out of context, or are applied to modern people incorrectly. There are a number of similar misquoted verses in the Old Testament. Daniel would have known this one specific verse since he knew Jeremiah, and knew about Cyrus and the 70 years of captivity. This verse is often quoted in the circles of Christians, concerning GOD’s plans for us. I really believe these verses in Jeremiah 29: 4 -11

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 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. 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.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. 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. 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.”

Yes, GOD wants us to prosper. He can do all the things in each generation. He can help us to prosper. He wants us to be successful. But, GOD always wants from us total allegiance to HIM whether or not we prosper! HE wants us to hold to and to live by the values that make us as Christians different from those who aren’t Christian.  Does this apply to our personal prosperity, national prosperity, and prosperity in each community or church group? I am just asking you to consider this: whether or not HE does want us to prosper, many have made this single verse, and single quality of prosperity to be the cornerstone of our hope in JESUS! I personally believe that we are better off if we DO follow Jesus and love HIM! Whether we prosper or not isn't demanded or expected, but can be a part of HIS plan for us as well. 

In light of the death, burial, and Resurrection that will be the focus for us Christians this month, my prayer is that we will see that our verse, Jeremiah 29:11 was to give hope to Israel in a time of real hostility and captivity. For what purpose? The Messiah was to be born of a virgin, live and die for us, and come back to life! These and other prophecies from Isaiah and other places couldn’t be fulfill if the nation of Israel ceased to exist! So, if we prosper, it is for the cause of JESUS to prosper! IF he allows us to suffer for HIM, it is for the cause of JESUS! Either way we win if we stay true to HIM. How? We are to chose our battles, to interact with our society, and to help others to do well. GOD Bless you tonight! marv