March 29, 2024

Hope for Good

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most popular Scriptures known to Christians…that and John 3:16.  Jeremiah 29:11 has been misquoted, misused, and misunderstood, as well.   Sometimes, we like to take Scripture and toss it around, in a well-meaning (but incorrect) fashion.  What I like most about Jeremiah 29:11, though, is that it reminds you that God cares for you and all that you do.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God is on our side.

  • He does not harm us
  • He does no ill to us
  • He does not give us cancer
  • He does not cause accidents
  • He does not burn down houses

He does not do any of those things!  There is no burning down your house to give you a better house.  God doesn’t do wrong, bad things, or cause harm.  God, however, can make good come out of bad.  But He does not make bad happen so that good can happen.

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good?
No one is good except God alone.
Mark 10:18

The LORD is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.
Psalm 145:13b

Knowing these proven truths, no matter what our circumstances look like or what our eyes can see or what our minds tells us, we can rest assured that God is for us and will never let us down.  Yes, the way things work out don’t often make sense to us, but God can see the big picture.  Hoping in the Lord Almighty is the best decision that can be made for one’s family and future.

We may “lose” things.  Things may not go our way, but this does not mean that God does not have a plan.  No, it simply means that our plan does not look like God’s plan.  It’s okay to let go of the steering wheel and take the passenger seat. You’d be amazed at the places you will go.  Following God is made a bit easier when your hope is in Him.

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Lord, help us to keep our hope in You.  Help us to see the hopeful future and plans You have for us.  Amen.

Ancient Of Days

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Blessing and honor, glory and power
Be unto the Ancient of Days
From every nation, all of creation
Bow before the Ancient of Days

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship
You will be exalted oh God and your kingdom
Shall not pass away, oh Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing to the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship
You will be exalted oh God and your kingdom
Shall not pass away, oh Ancient of Days

Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days
Oh Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing to the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days

Composed by Ron Kenoly

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As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of His head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
Daniel 7:9

There are only three verses in the entire Bible that use the title, ‘Ancient of Days’: Daniel 7:9, 13, and 22. Verses 9 and 13, refer to God the Father on the Throne, and verse 22 speaks of Jesus Christ coming as Judge in the end-times.

Throughout the Bible there are many more verses that refer to God’s eternalness and His justice. The Ancient of Days deserves our reverence and worship.   Here’s just a few:

Isaiah 43:13

  • God refers to Himself from ancient days (eternity to eternity,) meaning that He existed before time was created (Genesis 1.)

Psalm 90:2

  • He is from everlasting to everlasting.

Isaiah 44:6

  • God is the First and the Last.

Revelation 1:8

  • Jesus says of Himself,

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending…
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 4:8-11

Each of the four living creatures … Day and night they never stop saying:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come.’

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and Who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him and worship Him who lives for ever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being’” (Revelation 4:11).

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.
Psalm 145:13

What an awesome God! I am humbled that this mighty and eternal God is merciful in His judgment and trustworthy in His promises, and yet calls me (and you) to Himself.

Before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear.
They will say of Me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’
Isaiah 45:22-23

That’s where I want to be—on my knees confessing Jesus as my Lord!

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Dear Lord Almighty, the Ancient of Days, You are from everlasting to everlasting!  You, and You alone, are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.  You are our merciful Lord, Savior, and Judge.  Thank You for keeping all of Your promises.  We look forward to spending now and eternity worshipping and serving You.  In the Precious name of Jesus, Amen.

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Click here for a wonderful article giving further understanding of the term ‘Ancient of Days’.