Finding Your Place In God's Historical Tapestry
Jeremiah 29:11
When studying the ancient nations in Scripture: the rise and fall of the Ammonites, Moabites, Persians, and Egyptians. I discovered something profound about my place in God’s story.
Ancient Nations and Modern Faith
In Ezekiel 21, God pronounces judgment on the Ammonites, descendants of Lot, who had become enemies of Israel, despite their shared ancestry. The Ammonites, like many biblical nations, no longer exist as a distinct people. Their territories in modern-day Jordan bear little resemblance to the kingdoms that once challenged Israel.
Yet Israel persists. Despite exile, dispersion, and persecution, the Jewish people maintained their identity for thousands of years. This is something unparalleled in human history.
The Tapestry Perspective
This historical reality reveals a greater truth: No matter what happens in my life, I need to trust that the God of the Bible is in all that is happening through me and around me. It is all part of His tapestry.
Think about it:
The prophets delivered messages that must have seemed absurd in their time
Joseph couldn’t see how his imprisonment would save nations
Ruth had no idea her simple loyalty would place her in the lineage of the Messiah
Esther couldn’t foresee how her courage would preserve God’s people
None of these individuals could see the full picture of what God was weaving. Yet their faithfulness became crucial threads in His divine design.
Your Thread in the Tapestry
Where does this leave us today?
When your circumstances feel chaotic or meaningless, remember that you’re viewing the tapestry from underneath. You are only seeing the tangled threads and knots. God sees the beautiful image taking shape on the other side.
The same God who worked through the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms, who fulfilled prophecies across centuries, and who preserved His people through impossible odds, is still actively working today—through you.
Your job isn’t to understand the entire design. It’s simply to be faithful with your thread.
A Different Perspective on Today
This understanding changes how we approach our daily lives:
Apparent setbacks may be setting the stage for something greater
Current struggles might be protecting you from unseen dangers
Small acts of faithfulness could ripple through generations
Just as we look back at biblical history and see God’s hand connecting seemingly unrelated events, future generations may look at our lives and see how God used our faithfulness in ways we never imagined.
So take heart. The God who has been weaving this tapestry since creation is still at work. Your thread matters more than you know.
“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.” - Jeremiah 29:11