I saw a banner in a school auditorium. It said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love." Sounded encouraging. I looked it up. A nation conquered and carried off into slavery. But their prophets say, "Don't worry. God will save us from this. He won't let this disaster befall us." But Jeremiah says, "Actually, you might as well get used to it. We're in for the long haul. But after things get to their worst--much worse than you yet imagine--then you'll understand God's love. You'll see his love as everlasting--amid the catastrophes.

Lyrics

It might be a long time
Go ahead and settle in
Do what you need to do
Don’t look back where you been

Build your house, plant your garden
Eat what you grow
Then when the time comes
I’ll let you know

I have loved you with an everlasting love

They burned our fields
Captured our sons
Laid waste our children
Stole everything we ever owned
They dragged us off in chains
They gave us foreign names
We’ll never see our homes again
Never again

I have loved you with an everlasting love

You’re in the middle of disaster
And it might get worse yet
Your only hope is to outlast it
But don’t give up just yet
I know the plans I have for you
I’ve got your future in my mind
Then when you look, you’ll finally find me
All in good time

I have loved you with an everlasting love

(from Jeremiah 29 and 31) Dave Nealon 8/16/04