The Hand of Hope

  Even in the midst of darkness, God extends the hand of hope.  The Israelites, due to their own stubbornness in wanting an earthly king, a king other than Yahweh, had been governed by worthless rulers who abused their trust and could not keep them safe.  The negligent, incompetent rulers and their false prophets died in Babylon, the land of captivity.  But the faithful people, those who stayed true to Yahweh and could be trusted, received the true words of the Lord through Jeremiah.  "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this:  that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight (Jeremiah 9:23-24).  To these people God promised restoration.  "You will be my people and I will be your God. . . . I have loved you with an everlasting love. . . . I will build you up again" (Jer 30:22 - 31:4).

  For reflection:  When I need help, to whom do I turn?  Who extends the hand of hope to me?
  Let us pray.  God, you are my father.  You always extend your hand of hope to me.  There is no one else who comes through for me as consistently as you.  I reach out for your hand today.

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