“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
On February 24, 2022, the world woke up to the news that Russia had invaded Ukraine. Those living far away may seem to think that this crisis will not touch us or will not have an effect. However, in our connected world, it will affect us. The constant news bombards us with live images of the attack, and we hear reporters talk of war. We see families displaced, and in the ensuing weeks and months, families will be separated from each other.
In all this chaos, though, I dare to ask, what has invaded your quiet? What issues, challenges, setbacks have infiltrated your comfort zone and threatened your peace? Our Scripture today reminds us that our hope and future are not in the threats of world leaders who are limited in their interactions. Our hope is in the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Our family’s hope is captured in the words of the hymn; My Hope is Built on Nothing Less written by Edward Mote in 1834. The first verse reminds us that our hope is only secured when our trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ. It continues to say that we dare not trust in what the world defines as success but only in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Today, let us be deliberate in our interactions with each other- love more. Let us gather our family together in these difficult times and remind each other everyday of the hope we have in Christ. Let us be intentional in our relationship with the Lord Jesus and be allso reminded that the Lord has plans for all of us. Yes! He has a plan to prosper you not only for the present, but we can hope for a future already mapped out for us. Be encouraged today; we have great hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Lord today while I struggle with what’s happening around me, I pray that Your hope is restored in me and my family. Let us hope only in You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Romans 15:13; Hebrews 10:23; Job 11:17–19
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 6:30-35; Mark 14:43-72; Leviticus 19; Leviticus 20
