As many churches prepare to gather for the first time after months of being sequestered, we are faced with the challenge of what to preach. Let me suggest the message of hope is the nugget of truth that everyone longs to hear.<\/p>\n
The most epic verses in all the Bible on the topic of hope are found in the book of Jeremiah \u2014 an unlikely source of hope, since he is known as the \u201cweeping prophet of Anathoth.\u201d In chapter 29, however, he turns from lament to forecast a better day that is on the horizon.<\/p>\n
In three brief verses, Jeremiah declares that, when our faith is focused on the providential goodness of God, hope comes even in the midst of uncertainty. We see three commands relative to this hope.<\/p>\n
I. Be patient, this is God\u2019s plan<\/strong><\/p>\n God\u2019s people were living in Babylonian captivity. They were weary and worn out. They longed to return home to Judah. Yet God\u2019s command was for them to settle in, build homes, plant gardens, and raise families, for they were going to be there longer than they preferred. The people had rejoiced in the \u201cWe are soon going home\u201d message being propagated by the false prophet, Hananiah (chapter 28). But Jeremiah said, \u201cNo, that\u2019s not what God says. You will need to be patient.\u201d<\/p>\n So it is with us. While we want things to quickly return to the way we once enjoyed and preferred, it may be that we simply have to wait (Isa. 40:31).<\/p>\n II. Be productive, this is God\u2019s purpose.<\/strong><\/p>\n Jeremiah declares two options: Either you can bemoan the fact of being stuck in Babylon or you can choose what God is calling you to do \u2014 and that is settle in, engage, and be productive. How? (29:5-7)<\/p>\n With this pandemic many have felt unproductive, indifferent, and spiritually disconnected, but here is what God has in mind for us in every context: \u201cLet your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.\u201d (Matt. 5:16 NIV). Did this happen with these captives? Indeed, it did. When the Magi came from the East (Babylon) to worship the Christ child, they came because these captives had heard and followed Jeremiah\u2019s message. They had sought peace, influenced their neighbors, and left a witness. They had spoken up about the promised Jewish Messiah, the behavior of these captives had validated the message they had proclaimed, and their witness led them to Jesus.<\/p>\n God still has a purpose: He still calls us to engage, to serve, to love and to fulfill our calling (Eph. 2:10).<\/p>\n