Find Hope And A Future!

“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)

Corrie ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” You and I may not know what the future holds. But in His foreknowledge, God knows it very well. And if so, only He can build hope and future into it by His divine and wonderworking hands.

Today’s insight is what the Lord declared to a nation that lost its hope due to its sins and wrongdoings. You see, sin and rebelliousness eventually lead people to a place called danger and hopelessness. Israel was not an excuse, although they were the chosen nation of the God of the universe, out of all other world nations. (Deuteronomy 7:6 & Exodus 19:6).

The above verse was announced when they experienced severe loss, suffering, and hardships due to the invasion and destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and the resultant exile of people to Babylon as enslaved people. The mood of chapter 29 is divine hope amid hopelessness. God knows. He allowed it to happen because they did not listen to the word of God that was sent to them through God’s prophets, again and again, to repent and turn to the Lord from their sins and rebelliousness. Now the Lord let the judgment fall on them.

The people in exile wished an escape from sufferings quickly. However, in the letter sent to the early exiles (chapter 29), the prophet Jeremiah says that it would take seventy years to complete God’s judgment on their disobediences. (vs. 10). The Lord also gave them counsel in verses 4-9. They should go on with their lives amid the sufferings. Live as exiles, build houses, plant gardens, and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters get married. Find wives for their sons and give daughters in marriage. Increase in number, do not decrease in number. Do not let the false prophets and diviners deceive you. You don’t listen to the dreams that false prophets lies to you.

He also assured He did not forget them in their desperate situation because they are His chosen ones.  He thinks about them and has a plan for them. He would fulfill his excellent promise and bring them back home.

Then our today’s Bible verse appears. The Lord declares, ” 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 future.”

The people’s sins and disobedience to God was the reason for their depraved condition. However, as we know from Daniel chapter 9 when seventy years was fulfilled because Daniel knew God’s verdict, he fasted, prayed, and interceded for the people of Judah. He asked for forgiveness of his sins, their and their forefathers’ sins. At that time, based on his confession, intercession, and prayers, God began His plans to bring people back to their homeland, to fulfill his promise.

Beloved, you may be in a hopeless and dangerous condition due to your sins and disobedience to the Lord. Alternatively, you may have lost hope due to other people’s sins that impacted your life. Either way, Listen! God has the power to restore you and give you hope and a bright future again if you turn to the Lord in prayer and confession. The reason is this – As he promised to the wayward children of Israel back in the olden days, he says to you, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give a hope and a future.”

Jesus, the savior of the whole world, looked at the people who even killed the prophets and stoned them this, “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Due to their unwillingness, their house would be left desolate and end up perishing, he added. Matthew 23:37.

Beloved, the Lord has a beautiful plan for you, as He revealed in the pages of the Bible. He instills hope to the hopeless. His plan is not to harm you but to prosper you. He plans to give hope and a future. Come to the Lord. Repent of your sins. Receive His promised hope and a beautiful future without delay.

Would you pray? “Father in heaven, I believe in your plans for my life. I want the hope and future only you can give. Please forgive my sins and shortcomings. I turn to you in repentance. I know you love me and sent Jesus Christ to die in my place for my sins. I believe he was buried and rose again to save me and grant me eternal life in heaven with you. Thank you for hearing my prayer and saving me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”