There is always hope for the believer. There is always hope. Comforting words when we feel hope and meaning slipping away. As Herod rages against God and seeks to destroy the one born King of the Jews, we know that there is always hope.
Jeremiah 31 captures that hope amidst tragedy for us. God will be the God of His nation and they will be His people. He will shepherd them and care for them. He will enter into a covenant with them, a new covenant of forgiveness and eternity. He will end the exile and restore them, even beyond their former glory. There is always hope.
Even as we hear great weeping in Ramah and Rachel refusing to be comforted because her children are no more, there is always hope for the believer. There is a future for the people of God. There is a new covenant. There is a new city that will be built. There is anew day dawning. There is a new family being made. There is always hope.
As believers we need to know deep within ourselves, deep in our spirit, that there is always hope. Regardless of the road we tread on, there is always hope. God works all things for the good of those who love Him - even the bad and negative things that happen. See Romans 8:28. Since this is true there is always hope. Sickness, a thwarting of our plans, the negativity and persecutions of others, even angels and demons cannot remove the love of God that we have in Christ Jesus. None of these things can thwart the plans of God. There is always hope.
A new city is being built. A heavenly Jerusalem is
under construction. Jesus, the chief architect, will return one day soon to take you and I home. He will come and invite us to the paradise-city where there is no crying or mourning or pain. We will, one day soon, enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise. There is always hope.
The baby born in a manger grew up and having lived a perfect life, died on the cross for the sins of the world. He dealt with our rebellion against God and allowed us to be reconciled to Him. He made our forgiveness possible. And having been raised to eternal life and having ascended to the right hand of God the Father, He sent the promised Holy Spirit to seal and mark all those who believe in Christ. That seal is God’s protection, God’s stamp of ownership so that you will never go astray and never be lost again. There is always hope.
Prayer:-
- Pray that Teen Challenge both here in Toowoomba and in Tassie will be able to share the hope they have in Christ with the residents on site. Pray that these needy men and women, who are without hope, will come to Christ for salvation. Pray that they would gain that eternal hope that all believers have. Pray that Teen Challenge would be provided with all the resources it needs to continue ministering and serving effectively.
- Pray that Shiloh Church Ministries will continue to minister hope to displaced Christians, persecuted Christians and orphans. Pray that they will boldly and fearlessly shine the light of Jesus in the regions where they are situated. Pray that many would come to the Lord in repentance and faith. Pray for the provision of financial, physical and human resources to allow this ministry to continue.
Think of the people you’ve hurt over the last year with your words or your reactions. Write a list and over the rest of the week, write each one a letter/note asking for forgiveness.
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