| Trust the process is a phrase that became synonymous with the Philadelphia 76ers rebuilding process circa 2013. During his tenure as general manager, Sam Hinkie made several decisions that by themselves could be viewed as short sighted or even misguided. However, fans and local media bought into the idea of a process that would guarantee future success which allowed the 76ers organization to operate without impediment while working to deliver on their promise. In Jeremiah 29:4-15 God shares a plan that requires the Israelites in exile to trust His process: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good 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 on 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. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” You can always trust God’s process. |
Prayer |
| Dear God, things don’t always make sense, but I trust You. Help my faith not to waiver during the process of spiritual refinement. |
Action |
| Have you been waiting a long time for God to do something? You’re not alone. This week spend time in prayer asking God about your request. Wait and listen for His response. You can trust His process. |
DID YOU KNOW? – BREAK BREAD TRIVIA |
| Hebrews Chapter 11 provides a great synopsis of the many people in the Bible who had faith in God’s process and the great rewards receieved as well the many that will yet come. |
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is the founder of Break Bread, Break Chains and is the co-host of the following podcasts: Defund The Church, Relative Currency, Politically Entertaining, and Christ over Crypto. He is also the founder and creator of the op-ed site Fake News Syndicate.