Hope and Promise

This morning as I asked God to surround me with His presence, He sent me to His word, Jeremiah 29: 4-13:

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there, do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says:

"Do not let the prophets and diviners among you decieve you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the Lord.

This is what the Lord says:

"When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.

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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I don't know of a stronger message of hope and promise - Lord, I seek you and I seek you with all my heart.

Take heart, God is with you - his rod and staff, they comfort you, so have no fear - rather, be filled with hope, for His promise to you is right there in His unending word!