A letter to the captives
One of the great things about God is that He is never far away. Even though sometimes in our lives we might feel like we are living in exile or being held captive, He is always willing to bring us a message of hope.
We see this in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. In chapter 29 we see that the Israelites had been taken off into captivity and were living in a foreign land under harsh leadership. In the midst of this God tells Jeremiah to write a letter with words of encouragement to the people.
Chapter 29 verses 11-14 reads, “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.”
In the midst their captivity God tells them that He hasn’t finished with them. He says a time will come where they will be brought out of captivity and returned to their own land. He even says that He has great plans to prosper them!
I think it is a great reminder to all of us now that may feel like we are being held captive. God is not far away and He is always looking to a time of restoration. He wants us to be with Him and He wants to bless us. And even though we feel alone at times, like we are strangers in a foreign land, we are always on His mind and always in His heart.
I think that is worth reflecting on today.
God Bless,
Dave 
