Hope in Dark Times
Hope in a Dark Period
Jeremiah 26-31
“’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’”
Jeremiah was not called the weeping prophet without reason. As we journey through the book, the central theme repeated is the certainty of God's judgment for their rebellion against Him. While false prophets were proclaiming peace and victory over Babylon, Jeremiah consistently emphasizes the certainty of judgment. Because Israel had abandoned their covenant with God, God was using Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument to discipline Israel for their sin. Their only hope for survival was to capitulate to Nebuchadnezzar's demands and accept their fate of being taken into captivity and transported back to Babylon. This required them to admit their sin and accept God's discipline. Yet, just like today, some denied God's justice and only proclaimed peace and prosperity. But they would be judged severely by God for they “have spoken words in My name falsely, which I did not command them” (29:13).
However, even as God pronounces judgment upon the people for their sin, He also offers the hope of salvation. While God will discipline Israel, He will not fully abandon them. For 70 years, they will be in exile in Babylon, but God remains faithful to His promises to Abraham. Throughout the judgment, the promise of deliverance is woven in. In 29:10, God reminds Israel that He is still faithful to His promises and will bring them back to the land He promised to Abraham. In verse 11, we see the heart of God’s compassion as He affirms that His desire is for their well-being and for their future and hope. Despite their sin and rebellion, when they call upon God and seek Him, God will reveal Himself and be with them. He will restore them completely to the land.
This is the same message that God gives us today. When we reject Him, when we abandon the truth of His word and reject His moral law, when we embrace the moral mantra of our culture, we will face the certainty of judgment. God is righteous and does not tolerate sin or any distortion of His word. If God judged Israel for their sin, He certainly will judge us for our sins. However, the offer of salvation and restoration that God gave Israel is also available to us today. If we confess our sins and acknowledge our guilt, God will forgive us our sins and restore us to a favorable relationship with Him (1 John 1:9). He not only forgives us of our past, but He complete changes our future. The promise that He gave Israel in verses 11-14 of forgiveness and restoration of their relationship with Him is the same promise He gives us as well. 1 2 Corinthains 5:17, he assures us, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; and behold, new things have come.” When we seek Christ, He completely restores us to a favorable relationship with Him, no matter what our sins might have been. When we surrender our lives to him, He erases the guilt of the past and gives us a whole new future, a future that is one of hope and blessing.
Jeremiah 26-31
“’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’”
Jeremiah was not called the weeping prophet without reason. As we journey through the book, the central theme repeated is the certainty of God's judgment for their rebellion against Him. While false prophets were proclaiming peace and victory over Babylon, Jeremiah consistently emphasizes the certainty of judgment. Because Israel had abandoned their covenant with God, God was using Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument to discipline Israel for their sin. Their only hope for survival was to capitulate to Nebuchadnezzar's demands and accept their fate of being taken into captivity and transported back to Babylon. This required them to admit their sin and accept God's discipline. Yet, just like today, some denied God's justice and only proclaimed peace and prosperity. But they would be judged severely by God for they “have spoken words in My name falsely, which I did not command them” (29:13).
However, even as God pronounces judgment upon the people for their sin, He also offers the hope of salvation. While God will discipline Israel, He will not fully abandon them. For 70 years, they will be in exile in Babylon, but God remains faithful to His promises to Abraham. Throughout the judgment, the promise of deliverance is woven in. In 29:10, God reminds Israel that He is still faithful to His promises and will bring them back to the land He promised to Abraham. In verse 11, we see the heart of God’s compassion as He affirms that His desire is for their well-being and for their future and hope. Despite their sin and rebellion, when they call upon God and seek Him, God will reveal Himself and be with them. He will restore them completely to the land.
This is the same message that God gives us today. When we reject Him, when we abandon the truth of His word and reject His moral law, when we embrace the moral mantra of our culture, we will face the certainty of judgment. God is righteous and does not tolerate sin or any distortion of His word. If God judged Israel for their sin, He certainly will judge us for our sins. However, the offer of salvation and restoration that God gave Israel is also available to us today. If we confess our sins and acknowledge our guilt, God will forgive us our sins and restore us to a favorable relationship with Him (1 John 1:9). He not only forgives us of our past, but He complete changes our future. The promise that He gave Israel in verses 11-14 of forgiveness and restoration of their relationship with Him is the same promise He gives us as well. 1 2 Corinthains 5:17, he assures us, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; and behold, new things have come.” When we seek Christ, He completely restores us to a favorable relationship with Him, no matter what our sins might have been. When we surrender our lives to him, He erases the guilt of the past and gives us a whole new future, a future that is one of hope and blessing.
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2026
January
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January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
April
A Call to HolinessOpportunity or FailurePride and HumilityA Talking Donkey and a Prophetic JackassTransitions and EmpowermentThe God of JusticeThe Danger of Spiritual ForgetfulnessObedience and the Danger of ComplacencyThe Most Important DecisionThe Test of a ProphetHOLINESS AS A WAY OF LIFEThe ChoiceThe Faithfulness of God and the Fickleness of Man
May
Fear and FaithVictory and DefeatThe Justice and Mercy of GodThe Long Term Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyMan's Fickleness and God's FaithfulnessGod's Power on DisplayUnlikely HeroesThe Danger of Self-delusionThe Grace and Holiness of godThe Danger of Cultural AccommodationThe Failure of Disobedience20/20 Spiritual VisionWhenn Life Does Not Go as PlannedFaith, Fear, and Divine ProtectionGod's Sovereignty and Humanh FrailtyA Lesson in God's Holiness and Grace
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