Hope for the Future
Hope for the Future
Walk into a Christian bookstore and you will often see this verse featured: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11).
It is a beautiful promise and a favorite of many Christians. Everyone enjoys the idea that God’s plans for his children are to prosper them and not harm them, to give hope and a future bright with possibilities. But let’s take a reality check. The context of this verse is striking. It was part of a letter written by the prophet Jeremiah and placed into the hands of the exiles being dragged off to Babylon. The Israelites faced a long, difficult journey that ended in slavery, much as their ancestors did in Egypt. Many of them would never see their homeland again.
Yet God gave this invigorating and encouraging promise to inspire the captives. They were not to lose heart. They were not to lose hope. In the future, the Lord would deliver them and bring the people back to Jerusalem. Despite the heartbreak of captivity, God’s purpose was not to harm his people—true, they would feel the lash of slavery and hardship, but it ultimately meant a prosperous future.
© Arkady
In the past, have you assumed that this wonderful verse about your “hopeful future” was your guarantee that God would keep at bay pain and disappointments, trials and tribulations? God’s purpose for us is to make us more like Christ; and this will mean hardship. So what is the hope and future all about? “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27)!
This is the ultimate aim of hope: that Christ will be glorified in us for all of eternity. And just like the exiles in Babylon, you and I are exiles on this earth. Yes, it is very hard, but Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of what that hopeful future is all about—Christ living in and shining through you for all of eternity. With such a marvelous future, you have every reason for hope!
Because God is love, his plans can only be loving. Because God is good, his intentions for you are of the highest good. Because he is the Lord of Hope, his purpose is to always give you hope. He can never be (or do!) less than he is.