The Immediate Future
December 15 - 21, 2024 | Always Peachy Devotionals | The Future Week 3
I love science fiction.
My brain leaps into overdrive whenever I start imagining the technology that could exist or the parts of the universe we could explore or the parts of our own planet that we can explore. And it’s not because I want to celebrate humanity’s accomplishments. No, I want to see all of creation to marvel at God’s extraordinary creativity!
Within the science fiction genre, there are usually two types of futuristic stories—stories of the far-distant future (200, 500, 1,000 plus years into the future) and stories of the near-distant future (maybe a decade or two into the future). And as I got to thinking about this, I realized that’s really what most people want to know about their own lives.
Is their long-term future secure? And is their immediate future functional? Do you have what you need for today? And if you do, how can you start preparing for what’s coming in the days ahead?
And you know what? God has provided answers for those questions too. So this week we are going to tackle the answers God has provided concerning our near-distant future. What do we know for sure about tomorrow? What can we trust when everything goes wrong next week? Where can you go for help next year when nothing has turned out the way you wanted?
We all have questions like that, and God has given us everything we need to be at peace with our immediate future.
Monday - The seasons will continue (Genesis 8:21-22)
Tuesday - God is still in control (Isaiah 41:4)
Wednesday - God has a plan (Isaiah 14:26-27)
Thursday - Don’t worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34)
Friday - We can have hope even when the world is dark (Judges 2:18-19)
If you knew for sure that your immediate future was secure, how would it change the way you live?
Now, granted, that doesn’t mean we can rush out and live riotous, chaotic lives with no accountability. That doesn’t alleviate the responsibility of being good stewards with the resources God has entrusted to us. But don’t you think confidence in a good future might help us relax a little bit? Maybe not strive so hard? Maybe not invest so much time and energy into temporary things that will only pass away and instead give more of our focus to the people and relationships that will endure into eternity?
After all, if there’s one thing we can know for sure is that we don’t have to do life by ourselves. Jesus has promised to be with us throughout our lives, so that’s the verse we’re going to memorize this week, Matthew 28:20.
Now, for context’s sake, this is part of a famous passage, Matthew 28:19-20 which is better known in the church as The Great Commission. These were the last words Jesus said to His disciples before He ascended into heaven. This passage is the purpose for why the Church was founded, and with this command, the Church Era began. And so it will continue until Jesus returns for us.
But the part that I want to point out specifically today is that last statement: I am with you always.
If you need reassurance or encouragement today, that’s really all you need to know about your immediate future. Jesus is with you. Life isn’t going to be perfect. Your circumstances may not be what you’d hoped. The road you’re on may be leading you a direction you didn’t expect. But no matter where you are or where you’re going or how you’re getting there, Jesus is with you.
And when you’ve got the Son of God walking alongside you, there isn’t a challenge or an obstacle big enough to stop you.
Praying for you guys this week!
Amy
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