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Hope for the Future

Imagine that your nation has been defeated by another enemy nation. You’re now being exiled from your homeland and forced to march into a foreign territory where you’ll be staying for the foreseeable future. ‘Home sweet home’ will soon become a fading memory as you adjust to new surroundings and a new government.

Life as you’ve known it has been turned upside down in a very short period of time. As you begin questioning when this nightmare is going to end, you hear some words that seem to offer a glimmer of hope,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” 

Upon hearing these words, you practically begin doing cartwheels inside as you imagine being back in your homeland. That is, until you get the full recording. Turns out those comforting words were part of a larger message (Jeremiah 29:4-23) delivered by this guy name Jeremiah.

Other snippets from the prophet’s words include, ‘Build homes, plant gardens, marry and have children, find spouses for your children in order to eventually have grandchildren…’

Wait, what!?

God, it sounds like you’re telling us to get comfy. I thought you had good plans for us? Surely that means we’re only going to be here for a few weeks at the most. Those things you’re telling us to do will take years!

“You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.” (Jeremiah 29:10)

Seventy years.

You find it difficult to get past those two words that feel like a 1-2 punch from Mike Tyson. Eventually, you do come to accept this message, hard as it is to swallow.

Our timetable doesn’t always line up with our Father’s timetable. His ways are higher than our ways. Sometimes, the only reply we receive after questioning Him is, “Trust me and know that I do indeed have your good in mind.”

The same God who allows an exile or a Coronavirus pandemic to last longer than we would prefer is the same God who gives us the strength to endure through those difficult circumstances.

The more difficult the circumstance, the sweeter our hope for the future becomes.

Prayer…

“Father, we trust the plans You have for us. We know You are good in everything you do. Even when we're going through rough waters, we know it's part of Your great plan. Even when we don't always see or feel You, we trust that You are right beside us. Thank you for the promise that You are working ALL things together for the good of those who love You. Nothing is wasted in Your Kingdom. You are the God who holds our future and we place our full hope in You alone. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, Amen.”