“Is there any hope?” Members of the crew of a ship that sank tapped out this message to would-be rescuers. They wanted to believe they could be rescued. It is a good question. Is there really any hope for us? If so, what is the basis for our hope?
In Jeremiah’s day, as his people and leaders were carried off into captivity, some urged the new captives to form a resistance. Their false hope was built on their nation’s history with God. Surely exile could not last long. “Don’t even unpack your bags,” said some of the optimistic preachers and politicians. “You’ll be back before you know it. It is a temporary setback.”
Jeremiah offered a different message: “Settle in. Plant gardens. Have children. Let your kids get married. Pray for the peace of the city where you are in exile. If that city thrives, so will you. You are going to be there for seventy years.” With this context, Jeremiah offers hope from God. God knows you and where you are. He has plans for you to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Even in exile, the people could pray and call on the name of the Lord and seek him. Those who sought God with their whole hearts would find him.
Our hope is not based on the false security that nothing bad can ever happen to us. Instead, we trust that God will work through the good and the bad in our lives to accomplish his greater purpose. Today we can come to God, call on his name and seek him with our whole hearts. We put down roots so that we can bloom where God has planted us. He, alone, is our hope.
