Your hope and your future

    I recently completed the book of 2 Chronicles. It gave brief accounts of the reigns of the various kings of Judah and Israel. Towards the end of the book, however, we meet king Josiah who was eight years old when he became king. He was one of the kings of Judah who “did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (34:2). He made efforts to restore true worship and to keep the Passover. Yet, in spite of his efforts, God’s promised judgement would still befall Judah because of all the evil they had done in spite of God’s persistent and consistent warnings. He promised however, that Josiah would die in peace and not see the calamity that would befall his people.
    After king Josiah died, many of the future generations of kings who reigned in his place did evil in the sight of the Lord (Chapter 36) although God sent messengers to warn them time and again. Finally, God gave them into the hands of their enemies. The city was destroyed and those who were not killed were taken captive to Babylon just as had been prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah.
    Interestingly though, the book does not end on the destruction that befell God’s people. It actually ends on a note of hope. In the final few verses of chapter 36, we read that, many years later, while the children of Judah were still in captivity, Cyrus the king of Persia made a proclamation throughout his kingdom. He revealed that God had commanded him to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. He then invited those among God’s people who would willingly go to Jerusalem to carry out this task. The thing is, the prophet Jeremiah had prophesied this many years before and although destruction was imminent at the time of his warning, God promised to bring His people back home. 
    The thought that came to mind when I read this was that no matter how bad things look, there is always hope in God. God has the ability to bring light to the darkest situation and hope to the most hopeless circumstance. He knows how to make a way where our eyes cannot see a way. When the children of Israel were faced with the Red Sea (Exodus 14), it seemed like it was the end for them. The only recourse seemed to be to return to Egypt and to a life of bondage. But, that was not God’s plan. When they did not know how or where deliverance would come, it did. God made a way for them to escape their enemies. God was their hope, when hope seemed impossible. 
    It’s the same with us. As bad as things may look at times, as hopeless as they might seem, God is still our hope. Jeremiah 29:11 says, 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.” When you’ve lost all your hope and don’t see a future, remember, God is your hope and your future. For the times when my back was against the wall and I couldn’t see any hope or future, God reminded me that He is my hope and He is my future. He restored Israel when restoration seemed impossible, He will do the same for you.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. When things look dark and you can’t see a way, remember, God wants to be your hope and the future you think you don’t have. Just trust Him!

---