This morning I was reading something of the life and words of Jeremiah the Old Testament prophet.

A tough man in a tough environment to minister, he was placed in a time when his nation Israel was facing the concequences of many years of bad leadership. The nation of Babylon under their leader Nebuchadnezzar had invaded the land and had taken the skilled, the artisans and the best of the young people exile to Babylon.

Jeremiah had an insight into these catastrophic events that was in conflict with that promoted by others.

The carrying away of the best of the land was not for their destruction as perhaps those involved imagined.

Rather it a deliverance from destruction that would surely come on their land.

Rather it was a providential placing in Babylon for restoring, rebuilding and in time returning to their land as a renewed people. What was seen as a dreadful 'set back' was actually the Lord's provident 'set up'.

And so it happened that the exiles prospered in Babylon, purified their faith and behaviours and in time returned. Under good Zerubbabel they rebuilt Israel with the godly principles their predecessors ignored.

What struck me was the realization that sometimes what we see as 'set backs' in our pilgrimage are God's 'set ups'. Our plans being diverted for something higher.

I thought of baby Moses being placed in that reed basket and floated on the river. This was a diversion from the plans his mother surely had for him, but it was used by God to bring Moses to a destiny beyond Imagination. Beautiful young Jewish woman Esther the same. Her natural plans for marriage being providentially diverted to a marriage beyond imagination that saved her people.

While our Father does not bring harm on us He does at times turn what is contrary to our natural plans or wants to result in good and it is helpful to recognise when it happens.

On a much lesser scale than those mentioned I have come to recognise it in my own life.

Of recent times being hospitalised with cancer and other issues has been a diversion used by the Lord, bringing me into relationship with people in hospital not as a visitor, but as a fellow patient. This is a profound experience as there is a common sharing and mutual encouragement leading to deep conversations.

My wife Eileen and I started to see this experience in this way. I would bring my guitar and quietly play in the ward on my bed and other patients commented on how peaceful they felt. Eileen would come in to visit wearing cheerful costume and patients and staff had their days uplifted.

We took the view that  postponed operations (and they happened!!) were because the people we were to meet had not arrived yet. We are not people who relish pain, bad health and the interruptions of medical appointments!! But we have come to see that even in these the provident hand of our God brings diversions that have results beyond imagination.

As that old familiar promise in Proverbs 3:5,6 encourages us.