Our Hope is Real: Jesus

"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (Lamentations 3: 26) 

When Jeremiah wrote this passage, he was commenting on the desolation of Jerusalem and the captivity of Israel to Babylon.

Even the midst of the terrible ravages and despoliation of God's people, because they could not keep His covenant, God was preparing for them to come back, to restore them.

First, God told Jeremiah to buy land and set up a lease. Jeremiah responded:

"25And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans." (Jeremiah 32: 25)

God answered:

"26Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, 27Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32: 26)

In fact, the LORD would bring back His people to Israel:

"22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 23Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up." (2 Chronicles 36: 22-23)

Today, we have a real hope, Salvation personified, and His name is Jesus:

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1: 21)

and

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)

Jesus is our hope today:

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1: 27)

and

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;" (1 Timothy 1: 1)

This hope is not a weak wish, but a divine certainty:

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)

Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13: 8) is our very real hope.