HOPE OF FUTURE WITH GOD
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “‘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, NIV
Theme: God has a plan for His children’s future, even if it doesn't feel that way because of today’s pain.
PRESENT DAY
All we see is today because we do not know what will happen the next minute, the next day, or next year. We cannot see the future, but we hope. Every one of us has hope for something good. The high school senior hopes to get into a good college, earn a degree, and find a good job. Young girls may hope to get married and daydream about plans for a future wedding. Parents hope to do well so their kids turn out healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally. These are good things that God can and does provide but none are absolutely promised. James 4:13-17 warns us about boasting in the future as though we had control over it. The Lord’s will is over everything.
In the movie Penguin Bloom, Sam and her son, Noah, did not know at that present moment her fall was coming. Noah regrets insisting his mom come to see the view from an elevated balcony and ponders how and why the rail gave way on that particular day at that particular moment. Why his mom and not another? There is no going back to change things, but how do you move forward? Where is your hope for the future?
FUTURE HOPE
Although God had been faithful to His children Israel, they had rebelled and worshipped other gods. God eventually sent them into captivity as discipline. The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to the exiles who survived to encourage them to accept their exile. Most had died already and many more would die in captivity because it was going to be 70 years. The promise in our verse of the day was not a promise to change their circumstance or bring worldly prosperity, but a renewal of the covenant promise that God repeatedly reaffirmed throughout the Old Testament. Just because life looked grim didn't mean He would not keep His promise.
Hope is not about the present but an encouragement during the present time of suffering to look to a future, a far-off-next-world future. Paul David Tripp writes concerning Jeremiah 29; “This discipline is not final judgment, but He uses it as an instrument to drive His people to confession and repentance. God’s discipline, because of His exhaustible grace, is followed by his restorative mercy.” “God’s discipline is never evil” although it is hard. Yet it is for His children’s spiritual prosperity and hope for redemption. (Everyday Gospel Devotion Bible, page 987)
We are not Hebrew exiles who received this letter, but we are God’s children, and this letter helps us as well by pointing us in the right direction. Hebrew 11:1-2, and 13 states, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. ...These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth” (NIV).
Earth is not our home, but our true home is heaven, a promised land of redemption where there will be no more paraplegia or any other suffering. This is made possible by Jesus, who was willing to accept God’s plan to leave His home and suffer on a cross for our rebellion. God keeps His covenant promises. Now that is hope and a future!
Make It Personal: How are you suffering today? Where is your hope placed? Are you willing to accept it as God’s plan to draw you to Him?
Pray: God, You are always good and everything You do, whether it feels good or bad, is for my good. I humble myself to accept Your plan for me, whatever it is that comes my way. Show me where I fail to follow You and lead me in repentance, believing that Your grace is sufficient. Amen.
Read: Jeremiah 29:10-14; Job 1:20; Isaiah 65:6-9
Listen: Joni Eareckson Tada’s Testimony
Weekly Memory Verse: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8, NIV