For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

For everyone who believes in Jesus and on his saving work on the Cross of Calvary there is an unbreakable, indisputable, unretractable promise of heaven. No matter how badly we have messed up and fallen short in our lifetime our future in heaven, with the Lord is set; we can put our hopes in that future and not be uncertain or doubt because Jesus has secured it for us.

Amazingly the future and hope God promises is not restricted to heaven or eternity, but also includes this present life. We can be living through a dark and dismal time, experiencing the grimmest, and most oppressive circumstances and conditions that can be known to humankind, but we can still trust that God has a future for us–not one designed for disaster or harm–but for our good and welfare. Today does not have to look that way and things may be going as badly as things can get, but we can trust in the Lord’s promise for us and hold onto that promise. As the Lord has recorded elsewhere in his Word, he is not a man (human) that he should be given to lying or misleading us (Numbers 23:19) but he is God, who is pure with a holy character, who does not lie or sin and would never mislead us or give us false hope. You and I are safe to view present circumstances, consider present situations through God’s holy character; safe to place our trust in him and what he has promised. We don’t have to see or know how he will accomplish that good future he has promised, just know that he is able, and he will! Let’s Pray

Lord, if we look at life through the lens of human ability the future can look pretty grim, bleak and hopeless at times, but because your word and promises can be trusted, help us to know we can look forward to our future and our hope can be secured in and with you. Amen

Reflective Questions for Self and Soul-Tending:

Does God’s promise to give you a future and a hope cheer your heart or give you inner peace regardless of what today is like?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of self and soul-care?