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JEREMIAH 29: 11-14

"THE SEARCH FOR GOD"

Intro: The search for God has led men into strange places. Some say, "I have never  discovered
       God." Where are you looking?  Drunk looking for bus token under  street light. Search
       has led some to bottle. Jeremiah's letter to captives. Never  expected to find God in 
       Babylon.

I. GOD IS THERE, AND HE IS THINKING ABOUT YOU.
        A. This never ceases to amaze me.
                1. God thinks about me.
                2. "Though I am poor and needy, Thou..."
        B. Thoughts are of peace - not of evil. 
                1. A needed message.
                        a. They were POW's taken to Babylon - they were to be there 70 years.
                                1. To most of them - the rest of their lives.
                                2. Tempted to believe God had forgotten them.
                                3. Certainly His thoughts evil towards us.
                        b. God had already appointed the day of their release.
                                1. They want it immediately.
                                2. They must wait 70 years. No rushing.
                2. A blessed message.
                        a. His thoughts of me are peace - even in the midst of war.
                                1. What appears to be evil is working a good end.
                                2. I look at today, and desire temporary pleasure.
                                3. God looks out to the expected end and desires my eternal
                                   pleasure.
        Lesson- How wrong for us to chide God or accuse.

II. GOD IS THERE AND YOU CAN DISCOVER HIM - "YE SHALL SEEK ME AND FIND ME."
        A. How often we feel He has utterly forsaken us.
                1. We can't understand the turn of events.
                2. We cry and pray and nothing changes. 
                3. We start crying "God where are you?" 
                        a. Like Mary in garden - He is standing next to us, unrecognized
                           because vision blurred.
        B. The results of discovering God. 
                1. Peace.
                        a. No longer fighting my situations.
                        b. Settle down and make the best of it.
                2. Comfort.
                        a. If God is here, I can rest - "I will lay me down, and I will sleep,
                           for Thou alone..."
                3. Courage.
                        a. The Lord is on my side - I will not fear what man will do to me.
                4. Salvation.
                        a. He has already appointed the day of my deliverance.
                        b. I shall arrive safely home.

Ill. GOD IS THERE - HOW CAN YOU DISCOVER HIM?
        A. "Ye shall seek Me and find Me."
                1. "I have sought for God and did not find."
        B. "When you will search for Me with all your heart."
                1. Many take passive attitude.
                        a. "If God wants me, He knows where I live."
                2. Some take half-hearted attitude.
                        a. "I'll give Him five minutes before I try something else."
                        b. Some say, "Well, I tried God."