258. Build and Plant
Jeremiah 42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
A conditional promise: if you abide in the land, then God will build you and plant you. The context is Jeremiah’s warning to the remnant still in Jerusalem, while the rest of the nation is in exile in Babylon, not to flee to Egypt but to stay in Jerusalem. As it turned out many fled to Egypt anyway, and they even took Jeremiah with them. The prophecy was meant to say that the Exile would be over eventually, the Jews would return, and they could stay in the land that would be rebuilt. Just wait it out and trust God’s promise.
The essence of the promise spiritually for us is that we believers are in the Land, the Kingdom of God, and heaven in the heart. God says, “Stay there; don’t leave it; don’t fall away; trust Me.” If we will abide in Christ and stay there with Him in faith, then the Lord will build us up. God will not forsake you or leave you on your own. You are in the kingdom and you are under my care while you are in Me. Even if it doesn’t look like it and you may be tempted to wander, believe the Lord. When you abide in Christ He promises to grow you to bear fruit, and He will build you up. This is the process of sanctification, in which the Spirit is continually working in your soul to make you holy. Your life will be built up to match more closely the holiness of the Holy Spirit who lives in you.
Over time, He also promises to plant you in the Kingdom. The longer you abide in Christ the stronger your roots become and the thicker your branches. Also the more fruit you will bear. God is planting and growing a strong and healthy inner person in faith and character. Trust the Lord to do what He promises, even if you have to wait longer than you want to in order to see the results of going to church, reading the Bible, being constant in prayer, and hearing the Gospel. Trust God’s process. Stay in the Kingdom, trust His promise, and enjoy His protection, provision and blessing.