Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Sometimes we find ourselves in a place of darkness. It happens to us whether the national news or a personal situation comes in like a flood with a threat to destroy what was stable and trusting in our future. Suddenly, we find ourselves imagining the worst as we begin to morn the sudden change in security and future plans.

How do we handle sudden changes of direction? When we feel so out of control as if the secure foundations of our lives are suddenly removed. Maybe our darkness is a sign we trusted more than we should on earthly plans rather than trusting in God. Who knows, a sudden turn from a safe, enjoyable life may, in the long run, be the best for us to turn more toward faith in God and less on situations.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a very well known and quoted scripture. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This verse was written to the elders in Jerusalem who were taken captive to Babylon. They were in a dark place. But the Lord stated there is hope if the captives would look to God and seek Him in their captivity. God wanted them to hope even in a seemingly hopeless situation. God’s thoughts for the captive is peace and a future of hope. God has a desire to connect with His people. He wants to save them, but the captive must change their mindset from despair to hope, from our physical eyes to our spiritual eyes, from emotion to faith.

Hope and Faith

Regardless of how desperate a situation seems, there is still hope. Hebews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Our hope is anchored in Jesus. 1 Peter 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lamentations 3:19-26
The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.
I will never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin each morning afresh. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

We must look beyond our immediate circumstances. We must look up to the source of our hope. “Lord help all who read this to look up to you in difficult times. Remind us to seek your face and call upon your goodness.

Let our lightnside burn bright and hopeful as we grow in the faith of God’s good desires for His people.