Jeremiah chapter 42 verses 7 – 17 (NIV)
Ten days later the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah. So he called together Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers who were with him and all the people from the least to the greatest. He said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition, says: ‘If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands. I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land.’ “However, if you say, ‘We will not stay in this land,’ and so disobey the LORD your God, and if you say, ‘No, we will go and live in Egypt, where we will not see war or hear the trumpet or be hungry for bread,’ then hear the word of the LORD, you remnant of Judah. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die.’”
There’ s a worldly saying,” be careful what you wish for” which is a warning that getting what you want may bring unintended negative consequences, even if the wish seems positive at first. If we look at it in spiritual terms, based on what we read today in the story of Johanan, I would say, don’t pray to God for guidance if you don’t intend to take it. Johanan and those with him were already on their way to Egypt when they asked Jeremiah to pray for God’s counsel. But God knew their heart and told them what would happen if they continued with their plans. God’s plans were better and higher than theirs. He showed them how He would show them His grace and compassion. But in their hearts they still wanted to do as they had planned. We too need to remember that God’s ways and plans are different than ours too. And if we genuinely seek His counsel, we should be prepared to do as He says because, He wants what’s best for us.
Dear Lord,
Help me to accept with gratitude Your plans for me, even if they seem to be so different to what I hoped for. Thank You for always doing what’s best for me. Amen.