“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge those who are carried away captive from Judah, whom I have sent out of this place for their owngood, into the land of the Chaldeans.” Jeremiah 24:5

For Their Own Good

Things are not always as they seem. The Chaldeans were vicious people and the Israeli captives thought being carried away by them meant certain death, but God had them carried away captive for their own good. He was cleaning house and preserving them for the remnant He would bring back to build Jerusalem again one day.

It was ugly getting there though. I’ve been there, done that, haven’t you? I’ve made decisions that took me to some really bad places, but in looking back I can totally see the Lord, working stuff out, using those experiences to bring me back changed forever, in a good way.

He has allowed some things way beyond my control and by the sins of others to do the same thing, and although I would not have chosen those things for myself, again He has brought good from them.

This train of thought always brings me around to Romans 8:28: “And we know that allthingswork together forgoodto those who love God, to those who are the called according to Hispurpose.”

The passages around Romans 8:28 deal with suffering and perseverance, tribulation, persecution and distress. But they also tell of marvelous things—in our weaknesses, Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God. They tell us we have been predestined, called, justified and glorified through Jesus, God’s own Son.

No matter where we are or what we are going through, God is there in our midst. The captives couldn’t see any good coming out of being taken away by the Chaldeans, but just because they couldn’t see it, doesn’t mean it wasn’t there.

Romans 8:31b tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Let’s remember this today, ladies: as we go through whatever it is we are facing in life right now, it could very well be for our own good—orchestrated by God, and if not orchestrated by Him, then rest assured it had to be allowed by Him, and He, His Spirit and His Son are in the midst of it with us and will eventually work it out for our good.

“Father God, thank You, for loving us and calling us to be Yours. Help us to look to You and remember You are for us. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to intercede for us in the midst of our weaknesses and our battles, and thank You for sending Your Son to save us for all eternity. Amen.”