Sometimes life can be going along so well when suddenly disaster strikes. Cancer. A layoff. Car accident. An affair. A miscarriage.

We never see those things coming. We don’t expect them to happen. At least not to us.

I wonder if the people of Judah saw it coming. They had Jerusalem. The temple. God’s presence. They were God’s people. And then they were conquered by the Babylonians and exiled. Forced to leave their homes and live in a foreign land. They had to be disoriented. Disillusioned. Discouraged.

Ever felt that way?

I have.

I’ve wondered what I did wrong. I’ve wondered why God was treating me so unfairly. I’ve second-guessed my decisions.

I was sure things couldn’t get any worse. And then they would.

I remember losing all hope of things ever getting better.

Ever felt that way? Maybe you feel that way today.

In the midst of their exile, the Jews were not forgotten. God saw. He remembered His promises to them. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God spoke these words to His people:

This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”  (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

You may feel exiled today, but God has not forgotten you. Just as there was a set time for the exiles to live in Babylon, there’s a set time for your current circumstances. They will not last forever. God is accomplishing something through them and will not allow your difficulties to continue beyond what is necessary.

He will fulfill His promises to you. His plans for you are good.

Seek Him, even in the midst of your “exile.” He will be found by you. He will bring you back from your “captivity” at just the right time.

It may be hard to see Him today, but don’t lose hope. Don’t give up on seeking Him. He is coming. His help is on the way.