To Give You Hope!
People were anxious and didn’t know what to do. They were ripped from their land to live in captivity. Homes were lost, their livelihood was gone, and the future looked bleak. Nothing was normal and everything seemed uncertain.
Over 26 centuries ago, The Babylonian army invaded Judah and carried her people away to exile. Families were ripped apart and life was intensely difficult. Many wondered if God knew how hard it was, if he cared about their broken hearts, and if he was going to do something about it.
Little did they know God had already activated the head and heart of a man named Jeremiah to write them a letter. The hands that dipped the reed into the ink were human but the word’s that ended up on the papyrus were God’s. He told them that God knew how they were feeling, and he most definitely cared about them. He assured them the Lord was always acting on his plans, “to prosper them and not to harm them, plans to give them hope and a future.”
Jeremiah may not have known how many people that letter would impact, but God did. He knew the multitudes would cling to those words for hope in times of trial, including you. In fact, that’s why he preserved it. God knew you would be reading them again today and wanted to give you just what he planned for you…hope.
You may feel isolated. Your life may seem upside down. You may have lost your job or are frustrated with the new normal. You might just be having a bad day. The Lord knows how you’re feeling. He cares about the condition of your heart, and he most certainly has wonderful plans for you. Ultimately, his plan brings you out of this mess on earth and into his mansion in heaven. Jesus’ life and death in your place make that plan certain. There is a room in heaven with your name on it…guaranteed by a living Savior.
Your present may have shadows, but your future is amazingly bright. When anxiety threatens and uncertainly looms, keep your eye on the prize and he’ll keep hope in your heart.
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
