Wait and Hope

For this is what the Lord says: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place. For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.” Jeremiah 29: 10-14

Consider the situation Israel found herself in during the time Jeremiah relayed God’s message above. Having repetitively turned away from God and towards sin, God used Babylon and exile as a response to Israel’s actions. They found themselves in a difficult situation caused by their own doing. The Israelites, God knew, would come back and call out to God. His response is to wait and hope. God would not be hidden from them when they sought Him wholeheartedly.

Seeing God’s response and disposition toward Israel should bring us hope as well. Yes, men do find themselves in hard situations resulting from a departure of seeking God. In the midst of that, God still has compassion, and His message is hopeful. What I am deserving of, thank God, He allowed Christ to suffer for my sake. May all men, regardless of position to God, wait and hope for Him.

DO THIS TODAY: Start thinking about God’s desire to redeem you.