Jeremiah 31:17 shines like a bright light in a dark night. In a book overflowing with doom and destruction, we find this statement: “There is hope in your future, says that Lord, that your children shall come back to their own border.” Judah was going to Babylon and nothing could be done to stop it. Their sin had found them out (Num. 32:23)! And yet, there was hope. After 70 years (Jer. 29:10) Judah would return, the walls and the Temple would be rebuilt, and the city would thrive again. On the darkest day, there was still hope for the future.
The Hebrews writer said, “for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Heb. 7:19). As much as the hope of restoration must have comforted Israel while in Babylon, so the hope that we have in Christ–the superior hope–ought to comfort us infinitely more. Our hope is eternal life (Tit. 1:2) in Heaven with our Father (Col. 1:5). We are saved in this hope (Rom. 8:24), we rejoice in this hope (Rom. 5:2-5), and we hold fast to our hope (Heb. 3:6) because we know it will not leave us ashamed (Rom. 5:5).
Hope is not a wish or even a high probability. The Christian’s hope is certainty and it allows us to face the present and future with confidence. Hebrews 6:19 says, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” No matter what may come, we win because we live (1 Pet. 1:3; 1 Cor. 15:20,23). The final chapter has already been written (1 Cor. 15:55-57)! So, whatever life may bring–even on our darkest day–there will always be hope for the future.