Finding Hope In Difficult Times

Had a great service this morning. My message was called "Finding Hope In Difficult times" from Jeremiah 29:4-14. In my message I shared 3 actions to take in times of difficulty and 3 promises that God gives us in difficult times. Thought I'd just post them here:

3 actions to take in difficult times

1. Pursue life according to God’s plan- v. 4-6
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there and do not decrease.”

2. Seek to be a blessing right where you are- v. 7
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

3. Refuse to listen to lies that will come against you- v. 8-9
“For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.”

3 Promises from God in difficult times

1. God promises to honor his promises- v. 10
"For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place."

2. God promises wholeness and not evil, a future and a hope- v. 11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

3. God promises to reveal himself powerfully to us when we seek him- v. 12-14a
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart I will be found by you, declares the Lord…”