When you read the Bible you will find that God’s people can always hope in the future. At one point the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt. God sent Moses and rescued them. They wandered for forty years in the wilderness, but God brought them to the Promised Land. They rebelled and were exiled to Babylon, but God brought them back. They were unable to keep God’s commandments through their own strength, so God sent them a Savior, Jesus. We celebrate His birth later this month.
Many people are feeling hopeless these days. The pandemic and the various restrictions it has brought are wearing us down. Suicide, divorce and spousal abuse are all increasing. Politicians seem more interested in being celebrities than public servants. It feels like society is collapsing all around us.
We’ve been studying the book or Jeremiah in our weekday Bible study class. He was called “the weeping prophet” because he had to bring a message of doom and gloom to people who refused to listen. He was mistreated and ignored. Yet through him God says:
“… I know the plans I have for you …. plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
God has not abandoned us; He’s still at work; He has a plan. We may not understand, but we can put our hope and trust in Him.
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
P.S. As I was writing this, my husband told about a survey he came across. The only group studied whose mental health DID NOT decline this year were those who regularly attend religious services. Possibly because we have hope?
For more about Jeremiah see these posts:
God does his best work with empty by Nancy Guthrie–Book Review
Do You Think God Can’t Use You?
Lutheran Ladies Connection 