October 2022
Nougat 29
I like to be in the know, don’t you? To have a sense of being in the inner circle of friends, colleagues or family. But what about those things that carry great implications for our future? How do we get in the know? Today’s Holy Nougat
“Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Jeremiah 33:3 NLT
To the believers on the verge of losing Hope, Jeremiah offered a word of comfort from the Lord. One could also say it was a challenge, as it required the exiles to believe that this time around God was actually heard our pleas. More importantly it was a word of conviction for those wishing to prepare for the future.
A Comforting Word
When all hope had been lost, everything was going wrong; the national leadership was busy imprisoning those who spoke against them, and God seemed to have forgotten and forsaken the remnant; a message was shared. Yes, the city was ruined, yes things were at rock bottom both spiritually and politically – but God! God sent a personal word to assure the remnant of God’s presence and God’s desire to keep communication open. Even to the extent of offering a glimpse of the future.
A Challenging Word
It was also challenging, as the remnant, and any others hearing the word, had to believe that God would do as God said; and also believe that God would share visions of the future with them. That could be scary; not only because they saw what happened to Jeremiah first hand (he was persecuted and abused); but also because whoever received God’s word was accountable to God. Moreover, the recipients would also need to confirm that whatever vision received was of God, so it might not have as comfortable to get that glimpse of the future.
A Convicting Word
The remnant probably looked forward to seeing Jeremiah’s message. It was good to be in the know. They would likely have been comforted by the message and challenged by God’s offer to reveal aspects of the future with them. But the word was also one that convinced and convicted the remnant. Receiving Jeremiah’s message of encouragement and hope, while he himself was in prison, must have assured them while demanding a radical faith in the face of adversity and uncertainty. Their response would indicate the depth of their conviction about God and God’s promises.
The same applies to us. God’s Word ought to comfort us in our rough seasons – we are in the know; and to some extent, we know how it all ends. We should be challenged by God’s Word, and we might also be challenged by God’s call to share what we have heard from God. But the testimony of those who went before us, the mantle that comes with being in the know, and the in dwelling presence of God’s Spirit convicts us to press forward.
Selah
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May all we seek be found in Christ