“I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul. For thus says the Lord, ‘Just as I have brought all this great disaster on this people, so I am going to bring on them all the good that I am promising them.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32:41-42‬ ‭AMP‬‬

What is a promise? By definition it’s when someone makes a declaration or gives an assurance that something will happen. In the Latin, it’s pro-mittere – to put forth. A promise is something we set before us and hold onto. We find hope in it – believing the declaration will come true or will certainly happen. 

So what happens when a promise is broken or is greatly delayed? Trust falters. Hope fails. Eyes dim. Hearts harden. 

But what happens when a promise is fulfilled? Joy indescribable. Peace. Fulfillment. Peace. 

G-d has “put forth” many promises to His followers. The promise of eternity (John 3:16), the promise of His Spirit (John 14), the promise of a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), the promise to protect us (Psalms 91), the promise to forgive and heal (I John 1:9, James 5:16), to be for us – and not against us – (Romans 8:31), and so much more.  Whatever we need, He provides. He is a giver of good gifts (Matthew 7:11). 

All of His promises are laid before me – some I can see, some I have yet to discover. But my hope can be found in this: He will return for me and I have a place with Him in eternity. It’s the hope for all of us who believe and call upon Him for salvation. 

Sometimes hope falters when I focus too much on what is right in front of me instead of what is ahead of me – that focal point in the distance called eternity. Until He calls me there, I have the promise of His Holy Spirit to comfort me and His truth to guide me. I just have to choose to lift up my eyes, put forth my hand, and receive all He has for me. It’s there. His hand is extended. He’s just waiting for you and for me to grab ahold. 

Father – thank You for Your Word and Your forgiveness. You continue to draw me and transform me. You find me in my brokenness and lovingly comfort. Thank you. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen. 

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 32-34

August 16, 2022