God’s Long-term Goals

Jeremiah had learned the importance of being sensitive to God’s leading. Ready to go where he was called to go. Ready to speak His words.

This sensitivity was central to his training. He had to be prepared to declare statements that others would reject. That others would conclude that his prophesies were wrong and not of God. He had to give prophesies that he himself did not necessarily understand. But he also had to be 100 percent convinced that he was hearing from God.

We can imagine what Jeremiah must have been thinking when he heard God declare that Nebuchadnezzar was His “servant,” and that it was His will that His own people were to serve this king of Babylon.

In his flesh, it would have been natural for Jeremiah to conclude that this message could not possibly be from God. In contrast, it seemed logical to believe the prophets who declared, “You will not serve the king of Babylon.”

But the fact was that Jeremiah was in tune with God, while, in spite of their logic, the false prophets were out of tune. In fact, God knew everything about Nebuchadnezzar, but was using him for specific purposes, for a specific period of time.

How easy it can be for us to be like these false prophets. To make assumptions about God’s will. But we must remember that His ways are not necessarily our ways.

In your life, seek to stay sensitive to His Spirit. Pray for discernment. Be careful not to assume that you know everything about His ways. Seek Him. Trust Him.