Regardless of how dark and ungodly culture becomes or how much the Church mirrors the culture, there is ALWAYS hope.
In 586 B.C., Jeremiah watched the destruction of Jerusalem, the city of God. The Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar, came in and destroyed the most important and holiest city in the world—looting and leveling the temple of God.
The people were spiritually blind—following other gods, showing injustice to the poor and ignoring the laws of Yahweh. So because of their spiritual deadness, God allowed the Babylonians to destroy the sacred city.
The days were dark.
Yet, Jeremiah declared, “Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. This I will return to my heart; therefore I will wait in hope” (Lamentations 3:20-21).
How could Jeremiah wait in hope?
Despite the death, destruction, and dishearting events surrounding him, Jeremiah held fast to the nature and character of God. He goes on to say:
The lovingkindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I wait for Him.” Yahweh is good to those who hope in Him, to the soul who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:22-25).
The secret to having hope regardless of circumstance or situation is placing our faith and focus in God Almighty.
When we know our God, when our trust is in Him alone, there is always hope.
In the midst of our godless world, keep God as the focus and delight of your life. Know that He is full of lovingkindness (hesed), mercy, compassion, goodness, and faithfulness. Even when all things go dark, the people of God are more like the culture than Christ, or when you experience heartbreak over the destruction all around you, like Jeremiah, hold fast to God.
There is always hope.
So don’t look anywhere else for it besides God alone.
Remember, He is good to those who hope in Him, to the soul who seeks Him. So let us diligently seek Him (see Hebrews 11:6).
Know I am praying for you and cheering you ever deeper into Him!