Jeremiah 29:11 – “ For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” NASB

Today, my heart is overflowing with Hope!    

When we read about Israel’s bandage in Babylon in the writings of Jeremiah, the promise of God in the power of verse eleven skyrockets.  In exile and in a state of hopelessness, God reminded them to remember His promise and purpose.   In difficulty, they could Hope.

Jeremiah 31:21 told them to set up road marks and guideposts and set their hearts on the highway to victory. “Set up for yourself road marks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities.”

Jeremiah 31:31-34 brings us the Promise of the New Covenant. In Romans 5, Paul reminds us that this life is a life of faith.   Justification by faith brings peace.  Then, in 5:2, he says something amazing, yet not.

Through faith in Jesus, we obtain our Introduction by faith into God’s Grace.  This is the Introduction, not the completion.  Casual acquaintance that can lead to covenantal intimacy.  Introduction is the door to the fullness.   But we have to walk through the door.  It is not saved to sit, soak, and sour but to Grow into the full measure in Christ.

Then, he introduces the dastardly subject of afflictions, troubles, trials, and difficulties.  Afflictions bring about (not produce) but bring perseverance into the mix.   Perseverance is a walked-out experience.

• Perseverance results in proven character.  Tried holiness, tested sanctification, and trustworthiness. 
• Proven characters result in the birth of hope in the heart.
• Hope will not put us to shame. 

That is an interesting statement.  Here, we find full assurance, no discredit, and vindication.  There is more, but all this is produced because of God’s Love poured out within our hearts.

Alan Jackson has a country song – “Ain’t Got Trouble Now.”  One line says – “Ain’t got troubles now.  Had ’em before, and I’ll have some more, but I Ain’t got troubles now.”  In Jesus, our trials become doorways to growth and victory.   We tend to fight, resist, grumble, complain, and woe is me.  But, if we understood that in Christ, there are times of trial and that through Him, they make us strong and whole, we would not just cede to them but use them to grow and glow.

We are people of Hope for whom God has plans for good.  We are people of perseverance, hope, and proven character who are never put to shame because we are people of The Name!

Our Covenant is one of eternal Hope.  So, rejoice that you are counted worthy to endure hardship for His Name.  Embrace the work of maturity through the trials and become a person of faith.  You are loved by God and entered the door to His immeasurable grace through faith.  You can overcome this because you are an overcomer.

May the Overcomer of Overcomers enable you to walk in victory today!