True And False Hopes
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 29 and Psalm 32 (NIV)
(Ng Boon Thian, Committee Member, Mandarin Ministry)
READ:
Jeremiah 29; Jeremiah 28:1-4; Psalm 32 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Jeremiah’s letter was written to the captives in Babylon, to refute the prophets who were giving false hopes, lying in God’s name that the exile would be short, and God would soon break the yoke of Babylon (Jeremiah 29:8-9; 28:1-4).
Instead, Jeremiah told them that the exile would be 70 years, so they should “build houses, settle down, plant gardens” and raise families. God would continue to prosper them and give them true hope and a future. When they call on God, He would listen and bring them back from captivity (29:5-14).
APPLY:
Jeremiah was telling them to face reality head on, and with an expectant heart, look forward to building a better tomorrow, by God’s grace. Building and planting take time, so they had to get on with their lives. God would bless them and bring them through adversity. Similarly, He will be there to protect, instruct, counsel, and bless us (Psalm 32:8) in our struggles and challenges, no matter how overwhelming they appear to be.
Jeremiah did not promise a quick fix. Often when we pray for ourselves or for others, we are quick to claim immediate healing and relief. While we may not have the intention to deceive, our misguided optimism and faith may lead to disillusionment, disappointment, and heartache for ourselves and those we pray for.
In a world full of uncertainties, not to mention personal trials and travails, it is easy to slip into despair, negativity, and fear. God sees our suffering and struggles. He is still in control and is a faithful and an omnipotent God. We are to hold on to our faith, seek Him, and wait upon Him. He will deliver us from whatever is holding us captive and restore us to His original plan. His deliverance is sure and certain.
DO:
An important reminder here is that being Christian does not mean freedom from all afflictions but being delivered in afflictions. In this world we will have trouble, but we can rest assured, for God has overcome the world (John 16:33). He is reminding me to have patient trust, while seeking peace, joy, blessing and freedom in Christ here and now, and not wait for them to unfold in some distant future.
Also, when praying for healing, salvation, finances, jobs, restored marriages, etc for others or for myself, I must be wary of undue optimism and faith, and not assume that God would fulfil them right away or in the way I expect. What is God’s will? That is more important than what I or my prayees want to hear. When reading the Bible, I must also avoid the tendency to read into it my own desired meaning. I need to test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1), and not grasp at Biblical straws in my eagerness to see miracles.
God does not promise quick answers, but He will deliver, albeit at His appointed time and in His sovereign will. For example, I may fret that some siblings and their spouses and children are still far from God, despite years of prayer. I have no inkling when God’s plan will be fulfilled and may even be somewhat sceptical at times. But true to His promise, I have seen my extended family grow from 2 Christians initially to 15 today, with another third to go. My trust is in a loving and faithful God. All the promises of God are indeed yes and amen.
PRAY:
Thank You Lord, for Your great love and perfect plan for us. Enable us to see the vision You have for us. We look to You for guidance in areas where we are lost or floundering. We acknowledge that Your ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Give us grace to understand what You are saying to us concerning our health, family, jobs, relationships, ministry, finances, and the world about us. We pray this in Jesus’ most precious name. Amen!
