And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:28, 38-39.

I loved this excerpt today from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers: “As you journey with God, the only thing He intends to be clear is the way He deals with your soul. The sorrows and difficulties in the lives of others will be absolutely confusing to you. We think we understand another person’s struggle until God reveals the same shortcomings in our lives. There are vast areas of stubbornness and ignorance the Holy Spirit has to reveal in each of us, but it can only be done when Jesus gets us alone. Are we alone with Him now? Or are we more concerned with our own ideas, friendships, and cares for our bodies? Jesus cannot teach us anything until we quiet all our intellectual questions and get alone with Him.”

In our chapter, Jeremiah 49, God gives His message to six kingdoms/tribes. The Ammonites, also descended through Lot…“Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’ I will bring terror on you from all those around you,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. “Every one of you will be driven away and no one will gather the fugitives. Yet, afterward, I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites,” declares the Lord. v. 4-6. Edom, which was located in the rock fortress that today is known as Petra…“Now I will make you small among the nations, despised by mankind. The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill…Edom will become an object of horror; all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff because of all its wounds. As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown, along with their neighboring towns,” says the Lord, “so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it.” v. 15-16, 17-18. Damascus, the capital of Aram which God utterly destroyed…“Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her…I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.” v. 24,27. Kedar and Hazor, nomadic tribes destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 599 B.C. – Arise, and attack Kedar and destroy the people of the East.”…”Flee quickly away! Stay in deep caves, you who live in Hazor,” declares the Lord. “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has plotted against you; he has devised a plan against you. Arise and attack a nation at ease, which lives in confidence,” declares the Lord, “a nation that has neither gates nor bars; its people live far from danger. Hazor will become a haunt of jackals, a desolate place forever.” v. 28, 30-31, 33. Elam, attacked by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. Later Elam became the nucleus of the Persian empire (Daniel 8:2) and the residence of Darius…“See I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might…I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them. I will set My throne in Elam and destroy her kings and officials,” declares the Lord. “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,” declares the Lord. v. 35, 37-39.

Understanding takes time and Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, lives in eternity. We think we know everything because we live in today with the past we tend to forget and the future we think we can secure to suit our needs. Even with the roll-call of nations who had their time and were no more, God says He will yet restore their fortunes. In days to come. Is it possible God knows exactly what is needed not just for nations of people, but for individual people as well? That He has a plan for our good that He is working toward? I can’t protect myself or those I love from pain. But I can trust Creator God to be with us in that pain and that it will take time. Wisdom from above is never rushed. And there is time to be with God.