THERE IS HOPE!
Posted by: spiritualdigest <spiritualdigest@...>
THERE IS HOPE!
"'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. Then you will call upon
me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you'"
(Jeremiah 29:11-12, NIV).
I have read this Bible passage times without numbers. I
have heard people quoting it. I have even used it to
preach to or encourage other people several times.
However, when I studied it in its context recently, I
have a clearer understanding of its real meaning.
The context of the passage is a letter written by
prophet Jeremiah to the exiled Jews in Babylon.
Although, the people of Judah had sinned against God,
and God was punishing them by sending them to exile,
yet, Jeremiah was advising them to have courage and
settle down in that foreign land because God had not
abandoned them totally. He presented God as the Yoruba
proverbial father that would punish his child with
right hand and draw him in love back to himself with
the left hand. No matter the consequence of one's sin,
God is still compassionate and forgiving (Daniel 9:9).
He has plans of restoring us back to Him. He will not
abandon His own forever!
The Bible passage is a word of hope for people that are
suffering because of their misdeeds. It is a word of
hope for others also that think that God has forgotten
them. It is a word of hope for every child of God. God
has plans for us - plans not to harm us, but to prosper
us. Plans to give us hope. Plans to give us a good
future. Plans not to abandon us even when we go astray.
Plans to listen to us when we call on Him.
"This is what the LORD says: 'I will restore the
fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his
dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and
the palace will stand in its proper place. From them
will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of
rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will
not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they
will not be disdained. Their children will be as in
days of old, and their community will be established
before me; I will punish all who oppress them. Their
leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise
from among them. I will bring him near and he will come
close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to
be close to me?' declares the LORD. "'So you will be my
people, and I will be your God'" (Jeremiah 30:18-22,
NIV. See also 19:14; 31:27-28; 32:42-44; 33:6-26;
Lamentations 3:31-33).
No matter the situation, there is indeed hope!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
_________________________________________________
FindLaw - Free Case Law, Jobs, Library, Community
http://www.FindLaw.com
Get your FREE @JUSTICE.COM email!
mail.Justice.com