All scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
The Lord spoke through His servant to the Israelites in Jeremiah 29:11 and said:
“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’”
Although God had interest in the children of Israel and had great plans for them, they were faced with calamity. They were removed from the land flowing with milk and honey and were taken as captives to Babylon because of their disobedience. So the Lord had to declare to them His real plans through the prophet. The same was the case of Adam. The Lord had a great plan that would give him a glorious future and hope. But because he sinned, he missed out of God’s plan for himself and lost his glorious future and hope.
But Jesus Christ has come to restore the future and hope which was lost. The Bible says in Hebrews 6:19-20:
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
The purpose of God for man is that he might dwell forever in His presence. This was why He delivered the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians, brought them to a special land, so that He might dwell in their midst. But they soon returned into bondage. This was what Adam also missed out from when he was sent out from the presence of the Lord. Then when Jesus came, He clearly and boldly declared He was the Way, and that no man could be restored to the presence of the Father except through Him. Not only did He become the Way, He also entered into the presence of the Father as a Man to be a forerunner for us. Now, if Jesus Christ with His (resurrected) human body could enter into the presence of the Father, it means man’s hope and future have been restored, for he also, after resurrection – or rapture – will enter into the presence of the Father with his redeemed and glorified body.
He is also in the presence of the Father as a Mediator or as a High Priest. 1 Timothy 2:5 says: “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” As our forerunner, He went ahead of us to pioneer a way wherein we can enter within the veil. Then after achieving this, He became our Mediator or High Priest, making intercession for us so that we can also successfully end up within the veil by Him and through Him. And according to Hebrews 7:25, He ever lives to make this intercession until we are all saved to the uttermost, that is, until we have all successfully arrived at our future.
Now that Jesus has restored the hope of man which he lost when he sinned in the beginning, man can now rejoice. Romans 5:2 says:
“By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and REJOICE IN HOPE of the glory of God” (Emphasis added).
It is through Jesus, Who is the Way, that we presently have access to the Throne of grace. This access we have by faith is an assurance that we will in reality in the future enter into the presence of the Father and stand before His throne, therefore we rejoice in hope. This joy is based on the fact that we will eventually fulfill the purpose of God for our lives. And if the purpose of God will be fulfilled in us, all things must work together for our good. So, Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Everything around us must contribute to the fulfillment of God’s purpose in our lives. God will deliberately cause them to favour us. Ephesians 1:11 says we have been predestined according to the purpose of God Who works all things after the counsel of His will by His power. As long as we are walking in His purpose, His power will sustain us and ensure we arrive in the future He prepares for us. In Jeremiah 29:11 He says He has “plans of welfare” for us. Because of all these we rejoice.
Additionally, 2 Peter 1:3 says:
“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO LIFE and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (Emphasis added).
Due to His purpose for us, His divine power has made available everything we will need in life. He specially arranged a land for the Israelites, a very fruitful land, because of the hope He had for them. This is the type of welfare He has for us, and not for us to meet with any calamity. He has come that we may have life and have it more abundantly by giving us His precious and magnificent promises.
The only way to enjoy this life and also have joy is to have your hope restored. And the only One Who can restore your hope is Jesus Christ. Without Him you are without hope. But if you follow Him, He will not just restore your hope, He will be your hope so that you will never lose it again. 1 Timothy 1:1 says Christ Jesus is our hope. So when your hope is restored, you can be well assured that the divine power of God will make available all the good things you need in life, for God Himself will cause them to navigate your way and your joy will be full.
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