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Our Bright Future    

    A few weeks ago, I was burdened by the state of our nation. I needed time alone with God to process and pray. As I was seeking Him, He brought this phrase to my mind. “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” A little research revealed that it was uttered by either William Carey or Adoniram Judson, both distinguished men of God who lived over 150 years ago.     What makes the promises of God so powerful and full of hope is that they are inextricably tied to the nature and integrity of God. God’s promises are an extension of His person. God never changes and therefore neither does His Word. Both are eternal and unchangeable.

    When I am facing a math problem with an unknown, the first step is to identify what I know. The only thing I know about the unknown future, is God. I know that He is faithful. I am convinced His is good. I believe His is full of unfailing love and nothing can separate me from His love and affection. He is merciful and slow to anger. Best of all, He doesn’t change. While the world in which we live is changing so rapidly, I have found peace and hope in focusing on the unchanging attributes of God. The more I know Him, the more I trust Him. The more I trust Him, the more my faith is increased and the greater hope I possess moving into the future. Here are several “knowns” about God that have encouraged my faith.

God is Great.

    “Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods.” (Psalm 96:4)

    “LORD, there is no one like You! For You are great, and Your name is full of power.” (Jeremiah 10:6)

    “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One Who is over all things.” ( 1Chronicles 29:11)

God is Faithful.

    “I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

God is our refuge and strength

    “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2)

God is our Redeemer

    Many times I sensed that the god of this world was planning evil against the people of God. However as the dust settled and perspective returned I observed that God was taking the best shots of our enemy and redoing them and bringing good out of them.

    “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)

    “For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God is Good.

    “The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.” (Psalm 145:9)

    “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8)

    “The LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)

God is Patient.

    I am not naturally patient. But God is. He can afford to be because everything, everything, is under His control. He is great and He is good and He is orchestrating events to draw people to Himself.

    “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

    “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)

God never Changes.

    “I, the LORD, do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)

    “Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but You are the same, and Your years have no end.” (Psalm 102:25-27)

I need to keep praying.

    Jesus said that men “ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1) The Lord’s prayer is powerful and applicable. “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

I need the Body of Christ.

    One of my favorite promises is, “where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

    Due to the current state of affairs and concerns over the virus, there is such a temptation to withdraw and become isolated. I need to stir myself and seek people of like precious faith.

    “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

    God has reconnected me electronically with dear friends from my past. I have benefited from our weekly times of fellowship and processing life together. The seasons of prayer which we have shared, has become one of the highlights of my week.

I reap what I sow.

    During this past year of uncertainty I find myself leaning hard on God and His Word. I have been devoting more time to the study of scripture than listening to social media. I know that the more time I listen to the world, the more my faith is weakened, but the more I read His Word, the more my faith is strengthened. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

    Faith is essential in this day in which we live. For the battle in which we are engaged is not with flesh and blood but cosmic powers. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:10-13)

    Thanks be to God that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

    In 2021 I believe we will all be learning that, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) For “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) May God give us perseverance and patience for, “if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:25)

God’s will is being done.

    Even as it appears that darkness is spreading around the world, with the eyes of faith I believe that God is on His throne, and He is ruling in the affairs of men.

    By faith I believe that God’s kingdom is increasing and will fill the earth, while the devil’s kingdom will diminish and be eradicated from the earth. His kingdom will come and His will shall be done on earth exactly as it is in heaven.

    “To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

    “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

    “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.’” (Revelation 11:15)

Podcasts

    We are still focused on the names and attributes of God. Episode #257 “God is Our Teacher” was posted on December 29. On January 5, “Bless His Name” was added to the series. Tuesday, January 12 the topic of the podcast was “Jesus the Creative Creator” and on January 19 we discussed how “God Abounds in Steadfast Love.” January 26 will be “God is good.”

You can listen to them here.

Attached Studies

    These two studies are topical meditations to enhance our knowledge of God and our communion with God. These are guides for coming into God’s presence. There are three sections in each study arranged around an attribute of God.

    The first section is a series of Scriptures focusing on a name of God. A hymn follows (“come into His presence with singing”) that is in keeping with this appellation and character quality.

    The next section suggests short prayers of thanksgiving (“give thanks unto Him”) but is by no means exhaustive. These verses are designed to prime the pump and help give some direction for giving thanks.

    The third portion is a compilation of verses that were chosen to stimulate praise for God’s name.

    “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

God, Our Father [PDF]

God, Our Refuge and Fortress [PDF]

Holding on to Jesus,

Steve