article: a time for hope

A TIME FOR HOPE

A line from the popular hymn, 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' says... 'Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.'

Jeremiah, the prophet, got the revelation of God as the hope of Israel, of a hope in the time of trouble. (Jer 14:8, 17:13, 17) Just on the verge of the nation of Israel being taken to Babylon as captives because of her sin and idolatry, and for not heeding God's warnings through his servants the prophets, Jeremiah got the marvellous promise from God of restoration, of a new and everlasting covenant, of God's goodness to His people. (Jer Ch 29-33)

And, today, can we hear the same promise above all the other voices in the world?

HOPE

Hope. This is the word impressed of the Lord just recently. 'Hope thou in God', David said — to his own soul (Ps 42:11)

'I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to give you a future and a hope', God said through Jeremiah. (Jer 29:11)

'May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing' wrote the apostle Paul. (Rom 15:13)

And what is Biblical hope? A sure expectancy... a longing put there by God Himself for, Paul said that Faith, Hope and Love would always remain... (1 Cor 13:13). And what can we hope for? Like Jeremiah, for God to perform His word, to save, to heal, to deliver, to give peace... to perform His covenant and mercy. (Jer 33).

HOPE IS BASED ON THE COVENANT PROMISES OF GOD

At the time of the funeral of a Christian brother, on reflecting on the hope of a believer of everlasting life, of a life with God beyond death without pain or sin or sorrow, the Lord reminded of a vision received last year:

A dog was digging. Then the picture changed to a small group of people with spades (perhaps our own small circle seeking God, but could be any group praying and agreeing). A canister or time capsule was unearthed. It contained something of value from a previous time...

One thing that came to mind was the reality of God's mercy (hesed or covenant love), of His promise of good things to come. It is as though the canister dug up represents the rediscovery of the plan or thoughts of God. With these plans in our hands we can supplicate God and claim the covenant promises to be fulfilled in their season.

So what season are we in? What are the prophets saying? - a time for God to act, to give light in the darkness, strength to the weary, to heal and bind up His peoples' wounds, to write His laws in our hearts and minds, to be a God to us and affirm we are His people. And all this is contained in the revelation God gave Jeremiah.

Like the buried box, there is a truth, a treasure, a covenant to be rediscovered, but it will take faith and patience. (continued hope until faith comes, plus perseverance).

THE NEED FOR PERSERVERANCE

The picture of a dog digging spoke of the need 'to be dogged', to not give up, to be determined. Hope can become Faith. (Faith is the substance of things hoped for Heb 11:1) Hope reaches out toward, but faith receives and so we can move closer to our goal of answers from God as we keep on hoping.

Caleb who, along with Joshua had a true heart, inherited the promised land when there was rampant unbelief in the camp. (Numbers 13:23-14:24) The Hebrew name, Caleb, means 'dogged'. Like the other 'heroes of faith' of Hebrews 11, We can be like him. And, we can be like his friend Joshua which means (knowing) the salvation of God. Through meditating on God's word, through obedience, and as we worship, we will prosper in all we do. (Joshua 1:7-9)

Jesus said, 'He that endures to the end will be saved.' (Matt 10:22) We can do it! If we are in Christ, God is for us, with us and in us!