Hold Onto Hope

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. -Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

The last two devotionals I've shared have received more responses than I normally get. My inbox has been full (and I'm not complaining) of people who can relate: they're in Babylon, a place they don't want to be. They're probably going to be there a while so they need some peace about where they are or some hope that there's a better day coming.

Once again, God promises a better day in our suggested scripture readings this morning. God doesn't discount the present reality; it's bad. Unburied bodies are piled in the streets. Homes have been destroyed to make defense against invading armies. But God says that if they will call, God will answer and tell them great and unsearchable things that they do not know. Judah and Israel will be brought back from captivity. They will rebuild their homes as they were before. Their sin will be cleansed and forgiven. The city will once again bring God renown, joy, praise and honor. The people will be in awe of the abundant prosperity and peace that God will provide.

Sometimes the hand that life deals us feels so permanent, so terminal. Today's scripture reminds us that even in the midst of destruction and despair, in the most hopeless of situations, God is able to bring about resurrection and restoration. Isn't that the message of the gospel?

You may be in a place you don't want to be. God may be calling you to do something that doesn't make sense to some people, perhaps even to you. But hold onto hope that God can rebuild your life, your dreams, and your joy.

May God grant you the grace to have that hope today.

NOTE: Thanks to those who prayed for our son Nicolas yesterday. The surgery appears to have gone well. The surgeon doesn't seem to be worried about the fatty mass that he removed, but we'll wait for the biopsy results before we start rejoicing too much. Please continue to pray.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Jeremiah 37-39,. Psalm 79, and 2 John.