“There Is Hope For Your Future!”

“There Is Hope For Your Future!”(Jer.31:15-17).
The prophet Jeremiah has been nicknamed “The Weeping Prophet.” During his prophetic ministry he faced real tough times with many threats to his life. Even though he is called the weeping prophet, his prophecies give hope to those who have despaired of life.
Jeremiah was the prophet who in a prophetic letter told his kinsmen in the Babylonian exile that the exile will last for seventy years.
He did not give false hope to the people by saying that the storm will soon be over. In the letter to the exiles he told them: “Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease…”
The best part of it: “Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper…” How many of us pray for peace and prosperity of the lands of our captors – if at all there are any.
Jeremiah did not promise any false hope to the people.
Nevertheless, the letter contained words of God’s assurance of a better future. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you…”(Jer.29:4ff).
The comforting words of Jeremiah to soothe the pain of Rachel as she mourned her children is the same assurance that any of us in any hopeless situation should embrace with joy and confidence. “There is hope for your future, your children will return to their own land.”
My friend, any pain you are having today, any misfortune that has happened to you, whatever it is that brings pain to your heart and tears on your cheeks, all these things are momentary. It shall come to pass. Holy Writ says “And it came to pass.”
Two Rabbis were moving over the ruins of Jerusalem. One of them burst into tears as he remembered how the beautiful city once was. Suddenly the other Rabbi burst into joyous laughter. The one who was lamentating asked his friend why he was laughing jubilantly? The friend replied, “I am laughing for the same reason that you are crying. Walking on these ruins I remember the assuring words of Scripture, “And it came to pass.” So I rejoice because it shall come to pass.
So my friend, rest assured because “there is hope for your future.”
Prayer of the week: Thank you LORD for the blessed assurance of a bright tomorrow. Amen!
Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.