God Behind the Scenes

Jeremiah 29:10-14; Zechariah 4:10

Sometimes God’s work is so evident that it is seen and the devil is working behind the scenes. Then there are those times when the devils work is so evident, but yet God is working behind the scenes. Nevertheless, both God and the devil are always at work.

Jeremiah is sharing a prophecy of a time when it seems that God is hidden. He warns of the coming Babylonian judgement and says that they will be enslaved for seventy years. He tells them that God has good plans for them to give them “a future and a hope.” (vs 11 ESV) But before then it will appear that the devil is having his day and that God is hidden.

Jeremiah tells the people that God is not hidden and has not forsaken his people. He proclaims that God will be there, but that they will have to look for him. And if the look for him they will find him. This is the challenge for God’s people in difficult times. It is so easy for us to focus on the negative and to gaze upon all that is wrong. This is the natural tendency because evil is having its day. It is more evident than the good things that are happening. But nevertheless it is spiritually important for us to seek God and find him. And at this moment we may not see him on the stage, but working behind it.

This present time that we are in is just a period of history that is a part of God’s great story and redemptive plan. Shakespeare said that “All the world’s a stage.” And at this stage in history we see that the enemy is on the scene. But there is another scene and another act to come in which God will quench the power of evil and bring judgement upon the ungodly. The script has been written and we patiently await for it to be played out. In the meantime we must look at the small things that God is doing and that comes from prayer and a pure heart that sees God in all things.

There was another point in Israel’s history when they were under the power of evil. It was in Elijahs time when Ahab and Jezebel were king and Queen. Idolatry was rampant and injustice was prevailing. It had not rained in three and a half years. Finally after God had brought fire down upon the prophets of Baal and Israel cried the Lord he is God, Elijah went to pray for rain. After praying seven times his servant saw a cloud about the size of a man’s hand. This was all the Elijah needed. It wasn’t a big sign, but nevertheless it was a sign to let him know that rain was coming. (1 Kings 18:41-45)

Sometimes God does big things and then at other times he does small things. Zechariah 4:10 tells us not to despise the day of small things. Don’t overlook those small blessings, little acts of kindness, or simple words of encouragement and hope. Seek God today! And when you seek him you will find him when you search for him with all of your heart!

God bless you and I love you all!

Pastor Robby