God’s will, God’s way, God’s time
O God,
Whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
(Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, Proper 27)
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 11-14 NRSV
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
‘For surely, I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.’”
Matthew Henry
The written word of God is as truly given by inspiration of God as his spoken word. The zealous servant of the Lord will use every means to profit those who are far off, as well as those who are near him. The art of writing is very profitable for this end; and by the art of printing it is rendered most beneficial for circulating the knowledge of the word of God. God’s sending to the captives by this letter would show that he had not forsaken them, though he was displeased, and corrected them. If they live in the fear of God, they may live comfortably in Babylon. In all conditions of life, it is our wisdom and duty not to throw away the comfort of what we may have, because we have not all we would have. They are directed to seek the good of the country where they were captives. While the king of Babylon protected them, they must live quiet and peaceable lives under him, in all godliness and honesty; patiently leaving it to God to work deliverance for them in due time. [1]
J. Gordon McConville
Just when all planning seems futile, the Lord has plans again for his people. The act that had seemed to put an end to the covenant in fact gives life where there had been but the appearance of it. The story illustrates neatly the difference between the Lord’s thinking and human plans. What seems to be the end of hope is but the end of tawdry dreams; with God there is always a real future. In it, there is willing and joyful communion with him, no longer hidden by human self-seeking. Nor is this future in some unreal ‘spiritual’ realm. It exists within normal life; hence the marrying and the houses, and—in time—the returning to the ancient land. The phrase translated bring you back from captivity is richer than this suggests, implying the full restoration of life in all its dimensions[2]
Willing to Own Thee, Master and King
Maud Fraser
Willing to own Thee, Master and King,
Willing to offer Thee everything;
Lord, make me willing, O make me willing,
May all to bring.
Willing to wait for Thy chosen time,
Willing to follow Thy way, not mine;
Lord, make me willing, O make me willing,
For I am Thine.
Willing to labor, Lord, I would be,
Willing to suffer all things for Thee;
Lord, make me willing, O make me willing,
Is all my plea.
O merciful Lord,
Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, Proper 21)
Make Me Willing
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Je 29:1.
[2] J. Gordon McConville, “Jeremiah,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 694.
