Hope for the Future
By Lili Richey Willard |
Tweet
Posted 6:42 am on February 16, 2012
'Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.' Psalm 31:24
It is very easy to become discouraged these days. Just turn on the news and see fighting among peoples, weather disasters, life taking accidents, betrayal, murder, violence. The list goes on and on. Sometimes it makes us wonder why we even try.
Bur for those of us who are of faith, mature faith, we know how to banish that thought, and how to press on. Because of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ, we do have hope in the future. We have the many promises God has made us. We have the inheritance that being grafted into the family of God provides us with.
I find myself often pondering the state of our world today. When I compare it to just a few short years ago, I do feel discouraged. I feel saddened. I feel hopeless. That feeling of hopelessness is the worst thing, I think. Because it makes me feel like there is nothing I can do. I cannot make a difference. I am defenseless against the afflictions of this life. I am of no use, to God, to myself, to anyone.
But by simply turning to the Word of God, I find my way out of the despair. He reminds me of who I am in Christ. After all, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' (Phil. 4:13) He tells me of the care He took in creating me; 'I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works: and that my soul knoweth right well.' (Psalm 139:14)
He makes me fearless: 'Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee withersover thou goest.' (Joshua 1:9)
But most importantly, God has plans for me. He has a future that I can embrace with all confidence: 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.' (Jeremiah 29:11)
God has never, ever not extended His wonderful grace to me. Or to you. We must accept it, reach out for it, grasp the hand of the One who offers it. It is never revocable, never conditional, never attached to a price. It was already paid for by our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Because of these things, I see hope. I see the future. I see a plan for my life. I see love, the most selfless, edifying, steadfast, constant love I could ever imagine. I do not fear, I do not flail, I do not question. I merely believe. We all can believe. And then the Hope for the Future will give us the very desires of our hearts.
I write the 'Rosebuds of Faith Devotional Series' on my personal blog, Ohiolilisview.blogspot.com/, and Angelwing Devotionals at angelwingdevotionals.wordpress.com. Currently working on a devotional e-book, I love to write about what God has done in my life and the lives of others. I am also available to speak to women about God and what He is to them, and what they are to Him! I am active in my church, and monitor a Ladies Prayer-Care-Share email site for the ladies of my church family. I am happily married, and though a born Yankee, I currently reside in the south, and love it! I believe God is just waiting to bless each of us...but it is up to us to see the blessing and to receive it...and then to give Him thanks!
Related Articles and Blogs
- Striving for Joy Over Happiness
- Why ‘Leave It to Beaver’ Is No Better Than ‘Hell on Wheels’
- God Has a Good Heart
- A Trustworthy Anchor
- There Is Hope
- Power and Weakness and Grace
- Hope = Jesus
More Posts by This Author
- Is It OK for Christians to Speed?
- Can God Still Reach You?
- Come to Me
- Our Days Are Determined
- If God Be for Us?
- Faith: Something to Believe In
- Hope for the Future
