HOPE

November 3, 2020
Jeremiah 14-17

HOPE

Focus Verses
Jeremiah 17:1-11 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. ‘As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool.’”

I can testify throughout my life that having my hope in the Lord has brought me through many storms to His blessings.  In those times when the heat comes, and things are bleak, I cling to the one who has never failed and is always ready to bless despite whatever outside forces come.  My hope is in Him.

We have most likely all heard the popular phrase, “follow your heart.”  According to the words we read in Jeremiah, we are fools to follow our own hearts.  Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, Jesus knows that!  Thankfully, God has abundant mercy and gives us great hope. 

He has taken my heart of stone and given me a new heart of flesh.  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).  He knows the heart that is in me now is His own.  He is daily transforming me into His own image.  Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  Halleluiah!

Do you have His heart dwelling in you?  Do you trust and hope in the Lord?  If not, ask Him to live there today.  Simply admit that you are a sinner, believe in Him, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and invite Him to live in your heart.  Tell someone that you did it!  Find a church and go to it.  Talk to a pastor or fellow believer who will disciple you in your new life in Christ. 

Prayer
Lord God, please help me to keep my hope and trust in You.  Please put opportunities in my path to put into practice my hope in You.  Help me to always look back at Your faithfulness and continue trust in You.  Let me be a fragrant aroma to those around me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.