Stay

“Stay in here in this land.”  Jeremiah 42:10

The Israelites are headed for 70 years of captivity in Babylon. Their home land, the land of promise as well as the Temple would be destroyed. God graciously warned them through many people of everything that would take place. On three separate occasions, including today’s key verse  (that I have found) He  gave them specific instructions as to how they should live and conduct themselves while in captivity. (Jeremiah 29: 4-12 and 2 Kings 25:24).

Stay. Build houses. Plant gardens. Don’t be afraid. In other words, “Make yourself at home. You will not be leaving anytime soon.”

Really?

How do I make myself at home in a strange place?

This is the question I have asked myself in recent days. Keeping it real friends, I am in a stinky place. A strange place. A stinky, strange place I don’t want to be. Have you ever been in stinky, strange place, and felt like you had to stay.

Staying is not want we want  but often what God requires. Just as staying was part of the Israelites’ journey, staying is often part of our journey. This place may or may not be a result of our obedience or lack of. Our stay just might be where God takes us to teach us. Staying is part of our story.

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long…in this place…this stinky, strange place were He has required me to stay.

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12 Comments

  1. I have felt as if I have been in a “stinky strange place” for almost 30 years. Oh, but God is good. I have wrestled, rebelled and wrestled again. I am finally settled with God, however temporary He may want it to be, while He acts His will in me.

  2. Sorry you are in a yucky place…BUT guess what starts in ONE week from today?!?! PSALM STUDY-Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow!!! Yeah! The day is almost here! My calendar alarm has declared the day is just a week away!!

  3. Bless you, Wendy! I’m right there with you in that stinky, strange place! But, lets encouage each other and not allow satan to steal our joy! It may be tough right now, but we must learn while we’re in this season. While waiting, we must prepare ourselves for the plans God has for us! It’s something we’re lacking to sustain us for our next destination. Plus, we need to give God time to finish all the details! Once He knows we’re ready for what He has, and He’s done creating… It’s going to be sooooo gooooooood! Hang in there my sister in Christ! We’re Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow, right? Right! As Linda mention in her post, that study starts next week! And it sounds like perfect timing for you and me! 🙂

  4. I feel as though for the last year. I have been in a twilight zone. Do da do da…..I am where God has me. I would have never chosen this yet I am at more peace than I have been in the last month. Looking forward to the study starting soon. Blessings…diana

  5. Dear Sweet Wendy, We know right now God is working on many long-term and short-term lessons in our lives. Our Almighty Sovereign God is a Teacher that is able to cater to us in a unique way. He has an individual plan organized down to every detail. He loves us with a love we can’t begin to comprehend. Your strange place right now has been arranged and prepared beforehand. Each day we grow more confident with patience as the divine Teacher brings about loving lessons to us daily. Humbly, we are at His feet supping with Him in silent reflection on what He wants from us. Willingly we bear the yoke and seek to know what He wants to teach us. We know His ultimate purpose is to establish His eternal Kingdom. As time goes on we grow wiser and know our need to depend on Him for guidance. We let go of the way we think we should do our homework and we seek Him out as He continues to tutor us each step of the way. We are not alone! As we call out to God, He is right there assisting us. We have His strength to endure today. His grace is enough for us.

    There is a Kingdom purpose for our stay today. Watching for Him in the midst is the sweet smell in the stinky place. As we see Him working in the place we are at, this place of residence right now, – becomes less strange and more like heaven itself. The stinkier the area, the sweeter the community of faithful believers become as they support us during our difficult places of stay. “For such a time as this,” God is using you sweet Wendy to save people. One seed at a time. You have know idea the kingdom work God is doing through you. “With praise and Thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: He is good, his love endures forever.” I am so grateful for you in my life. AZ hugs reaching over to you right now!

  6. And just as He is asking you to make your home in this stinky, strange place, He will also one day deliver you from it. I know. I have been in stinky, strange places that I didn’t want to be. It is sometimes hard to trust how God is using this circumstance to remake you and strengthen you, but I trust that He is. Blessing to you, Wendy!

  7. Thanks for this post, it has given me a lot to think about. 70 years was along time, I realize I want direction now, and I need to wait God’s timing. I can tell God has been changing my heart over the past few years. Just very hard for me not to want to take control.

  8. Wendy, I can totally understand being in a place you don’t want to be. This past year and a half I was just in that place as well. It was a tough, tough season sister. I felt like the disciples that had the waves crashing all around them and wondering why Jesus wasn’t calming the storm. Then one day, He spoke to the storm, “peace be still” and it calmed. Praying for your “peace be still” day as well and that you will be able to fully trust Him through the place you are right now. I honestly am not sure all the whys of the season I walked through but I know God had a reason and He is still working those reasons out. Saying and prayer for you sister. Love you! Brandee

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