What can we count on? Is there anything in this world that we can really be sure of?

Benjamin Franklin famously said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." That may seem like a pessimistic way of looking at the world, but sometimes it also feels true. Sometimes the people we trust betray us. Sometimes we lose things we rely on, like a job or good housing. Sometimes we even fail ourselves.

In these verses Jeremiah recognizes that we cannot rely on our own goodness. Our sins make us unreliable too, just like many other things in our lives. We let others down, and we let ourselves down. But in the midst of all this uncertainty, as Jeremiah reminds us, God has a reputation of being reliably loving and faithful.

God has made a name for himself that is a source of hope to us. God's name is not just a name. God's name is about his identity and character. God is reliable, forgiving, and steadfast in his love.

God's identity is the one thing we can count on in this uncertain world. God's promises are sure, and that gives us hope. Death and taxes might still be certain, but God's faithfulness is the most certain thing of all.

Do you hope in the reliability of your God and Savior?