4 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
8 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, 9 because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
- Jerimiah 29:4-14
To have God’s hope for the future, we must…
Love the ones in front of us. (Verse 7)
God does not ask us to do more than we can do.
Realize it may get worse before it gets better. (Verses 8-9)
“God is always ‘late’” – Pastor Norman Nakanishi
Determine to have patient endurance. (Verse 10)
Beware of false expectations. Be ready for the long haul.
Remember God’s faithfulness and promises (Verse 11)
Keep track of what God has done before.
Refuse to give up on God’s promises (Verses 12-13)
“The only way we fail as Christians is if we quit.” – Brett Fuller