“It Shall Be Well!”

“It Shall Be Well!”(Jer. 31:10-14).
A peculiarity of false and greedy prophets is to pronounce, “peace, peace when there is no peace”(Jer. 6:14, 8:11).
“It is well” or “Everything is under control” are false utterances if the person saying it is living in the North West region of Cameroon at present. This is not to say life is not going on; and full of enjoyment too.
In the face of crisis and chaos the word of God that spells hope is, “It shall be well” – not “It is well!
Hananiah prophesied that the LORD had said restoration was soon to happen in two years time. Jeremiah replied him saying, “From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognised as one truly sent by the LORD only if his predictions come true” Jeremiah went further to prophesy that Hananiah will die that very year. And that’s what happened.(Jer. 28:1ff).
To show that he was the mouthpiece of the LORD, Jeremiah wrote a letter to those in exile in which he asked them to make themselves comfortable in Babylon. He told them, “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…Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper…”*
Who would want to hear such a message from God! The exiles had to make themselves comfortable in exile because the exile was to last seventy years.
So the letter continued, “When seventy years are completed for Babylonia, I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise. For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”(Jer. 29:4-13).
The LORD is forever faithful. That is why in our text for the day he says, “He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.” He “will ransom… and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they…The maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness…”
My dear friend, “Weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes in the morning.” It may not be well with you today, but The LORD assures us, “It shall be well!”
The Lord Jesus Christ is interceding for us until the alloted years of turmoil are over.
Prayer of the day and week: Thank you Father. I know you will do what you say you will do. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week!
Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.