"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
In a world where many have lost hope—where we have "no hope, no cash, and no jobs" as one speaker humorously put it—there's a stirring in the spirit that God wants to restore hope back to His people. This message isn't just about feeling better; it's about understanding that hope is essential for our very survival and growth as believers.
What Does It Mean to Be Expectant?
Being expectant means having and showing a feeling that something is about to happen—believing something good is coming. Much like a seed, expectation on its own is just potential. But when planted in faith, we can expect something beautiful to grow from it.
Think about those small seed packets you buy at the store. A carrot seed doesn't look like much, but plant it properly, and you get carrots. The seed alone won't give you the harvest—it must be planted, tended, and given time to grow.
God's Contradiction to Our Current State
Here's a powerful truth: God will always send a word that contradicts your current circumstances. When the Israelites were in captivity for 70 years, Jeremiah came with a message of hope and future blessing. Many probably thought, "This guy doesn't even know what we've been through!"
But God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Before you were even born, God knew every day of your life. He saw every challenge you'd face, every choice you'd make, yet He still chose you. His plan was set from beginning to end.
The Psychology of Hope
Medical professionals tell us we can survive about 70 days without food, 7 days without water, and 6 minutes without air. But it's almost impossible to live without hope. Dr. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, observed that prisoners who could envision getting out—who had something to look forward to—were the ones who survived. Those without hope perished.
We need hope to keep faith alive, and we need faith to maintain hope.
Preparing the Soil of Our Hearts
Like farmers preparing fields for planting, we must prepare our hearts to receive seeds of hope. Are we surrounding ourselves with people who speak life, or are we listening to the naysayers who kill the word before it can grow?
Consider the Free State farmers who look at empty fields and envision sunflowers. They have a vision of the harvest before they even plant the seed. That's the kind of hope we need—seeing God's promises fulfilled before they manifest in the natural.
Turning Toward the Son
Sunflowers are fascinating—in the morning, they hang low, looking down. But as soon as the sun appears, they lift their heads and follow it across the sky. This is our example: no matter how we feel when we wake up, we must turn our faces toward the Son, Jesus Christ.
The Responsibility of the Church
Statistics suggest that 80% of people in our nation have given up hope for the future. But God only needs 1%—one seed that will multiply. We, as the body of Christ, carry the responsibility to hold onto hope not just for ourselves, but for those around us who have lost their way.
The future of our nation rests on whether we, as believers, maintain our hope and faith.
Practical Steps to Maintain Hope
- Daily Word: Just as we eat daily to sustain our bodies, we need God's Word daily to sustain our hope
- Prayer: Spend time in God's presence—He will encourage and lift you up
- Community: Surround yourself with people who speak life and encouragement
- Vision: Keep the vision of what God has promised alive in your heart
- Faith in Action: Plant seeds of hope through your actions and words
A Personal Invitation
If you've lost hope, if your faith is wavering, if your current circumstances speak louder than God's promises—this is your moment. God sees your tears, knows about the empty fridge, understands your pain. He's the only one who can truly help.
Don't leave this place (or this moment) as you are. God wants to encounter you with His love and restore the hope you've lost. The seed of expectation He's planting in your heart today can grow into a harvest of blessing beyond your imagination.
The Promise Stands
"Here's what I'm going to do: I know the plans I have in mind for you. A future filled with hope. My intention is not to harm you, but to surround you with peace and prosperity and to give you a beautiful future brimming with hope." - Jeremiah 29:11 (The Passion Translation)
Hold firmly to the hope you profess, because you can trust God to keep His promises. The same God who spoke life into existence is speaking hope into your situation today.
May this message stir something in your spirit. May you be like those farmers who see the harvest before the planting, who have faith to believe that what God has promised will come to pass. The seed of expectation is being planted—will you water it with faith and watch it grow?