All is not lost, there is hope
After I studied the Old Testament in my theology coursework, I shared with one of my Chaplains in the military that it completely changed my perspective of the Old Testament. Many times, I have read the entire Bible in a year and I would sometimes dread the reading of portions of the Old Testament. It always felt so bloody, and bleak-and I am a warfighter! Then something happened, when I started studying instead of simply reading, I started seeing the Old Testament as one love story after another. So many times, we humans, God’s children have turned away from God. We have worshipped false idols, we have disobeyed clear commands, we have committed one sin after another even after personally witnessing God’s miracles. What does God do? God continues to forgive, to give us hope even after we fail Him time and time again. Has there ever been a better love story written? One of the major prophets Jeremiah warns the kingdom of Judah of their upcoming demise and invasion from Babylon. But his message does not end there, he shares a message of hope, of God’s love. “Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow” (Jeremiah 31:13, NIV). Even in delivering the message of darkness to come, God has Jeremiah give His people a message of hope and restoration. How is that not a beautiful love story?
I love the image of God, the father. As a parent, I know there are times when my children push me to the very edge of sanity-or so it seems. There are times when I am sure they would share they have felt my wrath followed by their punishment. I am sure, that in that moment, restoration or redemption was far from their minds. But, like many parents, our relationship is founded on the relationship that God the Father has with us. Though punishment may come, the love of a parent should not diminish. I know it doesn’t for me. What my children never see is the pain I feel in the punishment given. The knowledge that to learn, and grow, sometimes punishment is needed but the overwhelming sadness and sometimes immediate regret in the action never diminishes. I can imagine God’s tears throughout the Old Testament as punishment had to be administered. I can imagine God’s joy begin to return through the restoration and redemption of His children, all in due time.
God reminds us time and again that with Him, and through Him, we always have hope. His love is enduring, even if our obedience and faith is less consistent. Even in our hardest days, we can take great solace in knowing that all is not lost, with God, there is always hope.
Today, I pray that you open your eyes to the love story of your life. I pray that you remain steadfast in your faith and never lose sight that with God, there is always hope and restoration.
I pray these words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog post, subscribe to my web page.
