Jeremiah 31:31-34

“No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” vs. 34

Whatever we might say about the bible, no matter how confused we get about its writings, even skeptics will have to admit that it is an enormously hopeful book. No matter what calamities and disasters had come close to the people, the writers were able to look into the future and see an ending to the brokenness that had afflicted the nations from the beginning. Jeremiah provides a perfect example. Writing at a time when the future of Israel hung in the balance, and total collapse was at hand, he dared to paint a picture of a future in which there would be unity with the Divine Presence. It’s a vision that many still hold close to their hearts even as current events and collisions of culture seem to be bringing greater enmity among nations. For some the brokenness seems overwhelming. But people of faith keep on hoping, and insist that with forgiveness unity may be restored. We even say that there is a blueprint for the road to peace if we can move from a mindset of hate and retribution to an embrace of love and restoration. And for followers of Jesus, this isn’t just something we hope for. No, we are bold to actually say that this is what will happen!

Thought for the Day: How is hope possible in these times?