Day 304: Make the Best

James 5; Jeremiah 29-30; Psalm 133

Life doesn't always go smoothly. James tells his readers to be patient, even in suffering. He says to pray if you are having trouble. He reminds us that God listens to the prayers of those that have faith. Even physical sicknesses will be healed and sins forgiven if innocent and believing people ask The Lord. On the flip side of this, he gives a small reminder that if things are going well, we should sing praises. It's easy to see that when disaster strikes, the masses turn back to faith. But when things are going to smoothly, people tend to forget about God or don't feel the need for faith. James reveals that no matter what, even in prosperous times, we need to remember God and praise him.

God promises the people of Judah that they are going to be carried off to Babylonia. What are they supposed to do there and how long will they have to suffer at the hands of their enemies? God tells them to build homes, plant gardens, have children, and make Babylonia prosper. What?! They are supposed to make the best of their situation, despite the fact that they are struggling in the hands of their enemies. The Lord tells them to "Pray for peace in Babylonia and work hard to make it prosperous. The more successful that nation is, the better off you will be." In the next chapter, he promises to save them, even though it make take more than 70 years. Their struggles will last a long time, they will face their enemies for several generations, but they are to make the best of it and God promises he will rescue them when the time is right and then help them to prosper again in their own land. God may do the same with us: he may lead us to a place that is difficult, where we struggle for a long time. Are we to lie down and be a victim? Not according to this story. We are to make the best of it, spending time in prayer, and trusting in God to save us. Why? Because God will show us his power and save us when the time is right.

This psalm says that "it is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace." It's hard, sometimes our relatives are the people that are toughest to get along with. It doesn't mean that we can't do things to show God's love to them. It also doesn't say anything about overlooking faults or trusting completely, simply that it is awesome when families get along. I've been blessed with a wonderful family, but I can see why this psalm takes the time to point this out. If you struggle with your relatives and those relationships, I pray that God will make a way for healing and goodness.