Although we heartily wish one another a Happy New Year, we should be honest and realise that for very many the future in general, and the new year in particular, holds a great deal to be feared. War, energy costs, inflation, we’ve all just come through a nasty pandemic. The future looks very frightening indeed.
It did for the Israelites in the time of Jeremiah. Exiled to Babylon, surrounded by their enemies and by false prophets, there was nothing whatsoever for them to look forward to. Yet in Jeremiah 29: 11-13 we read this promise by God to His people:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Because of our faithful God, we can truly say: Happy New Year!
(Nigel Beeton)
“I know,” says the Lord, “of My plans for you,
“Plans for good not for ill – you will see!
“Your future and hope in My plans for you
“When you pray, and you call out to Me!”
When the darkness surrounds
And the night is long
When the storm’s blowing hard on your door;
When your bones ache with pain
And you feel so wrong
And you really can’t take any more.
“I know,” says the Lord, “of My plans for you,
“Plans for good not for ill – you will see!
“Your future and hope in My plans for you
“When you pray, and you call out to Me!”
When your world has gone wrong
Though you’ve tried so hard
And the ends never seem quite to meet;
The betrayal of friends
Leave you deeply scarred
And it all seems to end in defeat.
“I know,” says the Lord, “of My plans for you,
“Plans for good not for ill – you will see!
“Your future and hope in My plans for you
“When you pray, and you call out to Me!”
When you seek you shall find
If you search for Me
You be sure that I will do My part;
You know I will be found
And I’ll hear your plea
When you search with the whole of your heart!
“I know,” says the Lord, “of My plans for you,
“Plans for good not for ill – you will see!
“Your future and hope in My plans for you
“When you pray, and you call out to Me!”
(Nigel Beeton)
Feature Image: Robert Adamski, 2015, Bay Ridge United Church Imle Room Window Praying Hands, WikiCommons Media, PD