Plant a Garden in This Valley

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV

It was contrary to everything the Israelites believed. They had been overpowered and carried away to Babylon. Now they were captives in a foreign land—unsettled, uneasy, and looking for a way to escape. This was not their home; it was not where they belonged.

And then the word of the Lord came to them through the prophet Jeremiah. “Build homes and plan to stay. Plant gardens and eat the fruit you produce. Multiply! Do not dwindle away” (Jeremiah 29:5 NLT).

In other words, make the most of this time in Babylon. Don’t be in too big of a hurry to leave.

Sometimes, God may call you to dwell in your valley. To settle in a bit and plant some roots. To enjoy rest and reprieve from your travels. To embrace the moment as a God-ordained time to heal and get stronger, a time to regain vision for the future.

If God is speaking that message to your soul, then relax. Breathe. Look around and explore ways to be fruitful even while you recover from a loss or a stressful season of life. Build something of value, plant seeds of goodness, and taste the sweetness of the harvest.

As you rest in the safety of this valley, remember that you have a future. Don’t allow yourself or your vision to dwindle away... but instead, use this time to multiply, to dream, to look ahead to what’s next.

It’s within the same passage of scripture in Jeremiah that God offered reassurance and encouragement to his people: “‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ says the Lord, ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV).

The time will come when you’ll pick up your walking stick and continue your journey. You’ll be stronger and wiser and ready for the future God has in mind for your life. For now, look for ways to make this valley and this moment fruitful.

Pray:“God, I receive your rest. Please heal me and strengthen me. Show me how to be fruitful in this season. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Seek: In what areas of your life do you need rest and healing? Receive the strengthening of the Lord now.

Speak: God is thinking of me. In him, I have a future and a hope.