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Monday, July 22, 2013

Plans for Hope and a Future

He took a moment to “look” into his future and saw …

…nothing.

That seems to be a very depressing view, to look ahead and not being able to see anything.

From where he is now, he sees no discernible increase in his income, no anticipation of paying down debt, no plans of going on a family vacation, nor any change in what he can do in his daily life.

There is just more of the “same.” He’ll be doing the same thing every weekend. He’ll be doing the same thing, in fact, on every day of the week that ends in “y.”

Thankfully, what he’s “doing” is something he finds joy in doing. But sometimes he wishes he could look forward to doing something else – going on a trip or trying something new.

When he gets to feeling down thinking about this and seeing “nothing” in his future, he soon realizes that he’s bought into the lie Satan as been whispering to him all his life. The lie that God has no future in store for him, that he’s worthless and will never amount to anything, and that his life now is all there is and ever will be.

That is a lie. Jesus reminds us – when we take the time to read His Word and pray – that there is more to this life than just what we can see – or want to see – in front of us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “…plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

This world is not all that there is. There is another world to come – a world Jesus is preparing even now for those who believe in Him and have a restored relationship with His Father.

Jesus said, during the time He walked this earth, that he “came that [we] may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).  On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). And Jesus’ Apostle John heard Jesus tell him “I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

We may not be able to “see” any future for us, but I believe that it is out there and it is going to be wonderful.

Sometimes we feel down about our lives and how they are turning out. But that is just one more reminder that our future has not yet arrived! Things will get better – maybe not ever in this life, but most assuredly in the life to come.

I am thankful that Jesus died and rose again to forgive me all my sins – even the sin of not holding fast to the hope and the future that God has planned for me. Through the forgiveness of my sins, I find peace – just as the angels announced in the dark skies above the little town of Bethlehem, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14).

God is pleased with us. Not because of who we are, but because of whose we are – His! We are a blood-bought child of the most high God!

©2013 True Men Ministries.

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