There Is Hope For You

There Is Hope For You

TEXT: Jeremiah 33:12-26

“In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16).

            The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day after scavenging for food he arrived home to find his little hut in flame, with smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. “God, how could you do this to me?” he cried. Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers. ”We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

            It’s easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, and suffering. We are always on the mind of God, so there is hope for us. In this chapter the prophet gave an encouraging message of hope to the weary and fearful children of Israel. God promised to end the captivity of Judah and Israel and cause them to return to their land. He promised joy in their desolate cities, as the Messiah, comes to save them from their sins and establish an everlasting kingdom in righteousness and justice.

            Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. And when loneliness sets in, we should know that we are not alone. Don’t give up!

Note: Troubles don’t last always.