Christians have an unfair advantage in life when it comes to facing the challenges that the future hold.
That advantage comes by the way of knowledge – knowledge that no matter what they face, God is with them, and for them. The greatest message of the prophetic is not the foretelling of the future, but the encouraging declaration that God is already there waiting for us, and watching over us.
The future belongs to God who gives us a place in it – and in doing so gives us promises. Those promises fill our lives with hope, courage but most of all, peace.
What do you see?
It is easy for prophets to mistakenly focus on the gloom and doom of what they see before them, but more mature prophets will be quick to bring the focus of the future not on to the events coming, but on to Christ.
The conviction that the supremacy of Christ above all things is God’s wise intention is one that puts everything in our small lives into a lasting perspective. And it is the bigger picture.
We face difficult times ahead (but then, who hasn’t!) but we are never alone – the Bible encourages us;
- Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
- Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. ( Ps 55:22)
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Don’t worry – just don’t!
It’s easier said than done. The truth is that we live in a fallen, cruel and harsh world. It’s a world where we do make a difference, changing and transforming lives as God gives us favour and success.
But amidst all of our jubilation, joy and worship of God there are things that cause us concern and anxiety. Christians will face hardship, suffering, difficult times, tears and great sadness in this world, but there is comfort in knowing that our eternal future is safe in God’s capable hands.
Worry adds nothing of value to our lives, and the answer is for us not only to not worry, but to proactively look to God and take those worries to Him.
To all of our problems He is the only true answer. God is with and for the Church in a way that few people can grasp.
We do worry, but Not only is He our Immanuel (God with us), but He reinforces that promise by saying that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Take a stance of trust
The Bible gives us glimpses into the lives of others who faced threatening circumstances beyond their control. Confronted with a situation that could possibly mean their imminent death, three young Jewish men faced a fiery furnace with the determination that; “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
Testimonies reminding us.
All these things are very important because need to be reminded to keep looking to the Lord as our Shepherd. Simply put, we forget – but once reminded we run to God with willing and thankful hearts. That’s why we need to hear testimonies of God’s grace, mercy and kindness because the people with the stories, act as living-monuments in our lives pointing to God’s gracious provision.
Whether we face a gathering storm or celebration, things may not always go the way we thought or hoped for, but our lives are in very safe, strong and capable hands.