pThe Babylonian army attacked Jerusalem, and took a massive number of prisoners to idol-worshipping, corrupt Babylon - definitely not what God’s people would’ve chosen. It would have been really easy for them to feel sorry for themselves and expect God to get them out of there immediately. But that wasn’t His plan. Instead He told them to care for Babylon and get involved with its society. He even specifically instructed them to pray for the city (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Now that can be really difficult when you’re in a place that you absolutely hate. But God knows what He’s doing. He told the captives ‘“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”’ (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). While they were waiting for Him to fix everything, God wanted them to learn to make the best of their situation. Imagine the influence this would have had on their pagan neighbours. They must have thought, ‘Wow, these prisoners aren’t sitting around moaning about their situation, but instead they’re get involved and trying to make our life better, too.’ It must have made the Babylonians stop and think about this God that the prisoners were serving.br /
It can be massively frustrating if you’re waiting for God to help you out of a situation you hate. But don’t avoid it - while you’re waiting, try to have a positive impact on everyone around you. It might be the only chance they get to really see God at work./p
pWhat now?br /
Got somewhere that you don’t enjoy having to go (work/home/your local tip)? Next time, rock up 15 minutes early to pray for the place./p