In one episode of theSherlock Holmes series starring Jeremy Brett, the great detective managed to find and rescue the kidnapped young son of a wealthy nobleman. The nobleman had been overbearing and almost rude to Holmes until Holmes had said to him, “Your Lordship, I’m not unaware of your need for privacy in this , but at stake is the life of your son.” At the end when Holmes opened the envelope containing his fee, he exclaimed, “This is a king’s ransom!” His lordship answered quietly, “You have given me hope and a future.”

“’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 hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

When God spoke these words through His prophet, the people of Israel were in exile in Babylon and utterly uncertain of their future. God didn’t send a direct message of Redemption or Salvation, but a deeply felt message of loving care for His people. He told them that regardless of their living in an alien and unfamiliar place where customs and beliefs were different from their own, he was still with them. Though they were not in the Promised Land, they were definitely in the hand of the Promiser. It is a love letter to His own, and carries new promise of hope and a future, as He promises personally to be with them.

The world we live in today changes so rapidly that it begins to feel almost alien. Long familiar institutions, including the church itself , the government, and many social “norms” are shifting and changing and making us uncomfortable and insecure, but the constant in our lives is the presence of God in Christ. It’s for times like this that Jesus said “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) That is His Kingdom, which is His dwelling place and home. Again God tells His people that He is with them, regardless of the appearance of chaos in their world. These words, and the words of Jeremiah were preserved for our generation to receive as well.

When Jesus spoke of giving us God’s Kingdom, he knew what the price would be, and that he would be paying it. Today in the midst of confusion his voice says “Don’t be afraid”, for he is with us in truth and in power. He knew what was at stake and he knows what we need today. He has paid the King’s ransom for our hope and our future.

Love in Him,

Prue