Jeremiah 29:11
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.
The Babylonians conquered the nation of Israel around the year 605 BC. Daniel and his friends were compelled to march into exile to Babylon (Daniel 1). They were made to serve the enemy who killed their families, stripped their identities, and destroyed everything they had. Many silently refused and lived in obscurity, except for Daniel and his friends. Daniel served prominently under several kings as he personified the words of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:4, 5, 7). Being exiles, they seemingly had no promise of a future or hope, yet they had it all.
Our circumstances could be contrary to what we prayed for. But like Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace, God promises to be with us in the fire. Our redeemer lives (Job 19:25-27), and that is what gives His children hope.
Like Daniel, we may also be facing a disconnect between where we want to be and where we are now. Our lives can feel like exile, with bitterness and regrets choking us. We end up believing that our best years are behind us. However, even if the trials we face are not the consequences of our choices, we can still fix our eyes on God and excel.
God used Prophet Jeremiah to prophesy to the exiles, encouraging them to build a future there and to seek the welfare of the land. Daniel and his friends endeavored to live up to these standards, and God blessed them greatly amidst adversities. God had a future and a hope for His chosen nation, Israel, whereas Babylon, their enemy, perished.
Let us live with a divine hope, knowing that despite our circumstances, our God is working to make sure that we have the best future according to His purposes.
