The Future Is As Bright As The Promises Of God
We are living in fearful and uncertain times, but Corrie ten Boom, survivor of the Holocaust, said it best: “Look around you and be distressed, look within you and be depressed, but look to Jesus and be at rest.” As we begin a new year, it might look bleak and daunting as we look ahead. But when we open our Bibles, we clearly see that God is at work and has not forgotten about us. We can be sure that things are not falling apart. They are falling into place.
Here are some great points from a wonderful book, Future Glory, by Ed Hindson. God is with us in tough times. How do we respond? It is all a matter of perspective: when we look back and see the faithfulness of God, it gives us a sense of peace for the future. We can rest and find comfort in God's Word, which has come to pass for both time and eternity.
1. Reality - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Trouble is part of life in a fallen world. Everybody has problems. Abraham had a lapse of faith. Moses fled due to murder, Elijah hid because of fear, Peter denied the Lord, and Paul suffered. Paul reminds us, however, that God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles. Suffering is part of God's purifying work in our lives. Peter tells us that believers are often called to suffer for the cause of Christ. (See 1 Peter 1:17-21.)
2. Resolve - 2 Corinthians 1:6-7
Problems change us one way or another; pain can make us bitter or better. Peter’s failure led to his tears of repentance and his ultimate restoration. The betrayal of Judas only led to remorse and suicide. In each case we learn the right way and the wrong way to deal with our problems and failures. The choice is up to us: will we turn toward God and submit, or will we turn away and face the consequences? Paul could say whether we are afflicted or comforted, we will receive the consolation and salvation of God Himself.
3. Resource - 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
Our problems and suffering cause us to turn to God for help. Challenges, like a global pandemic, make us realize we cannot trust ourselves alone for the answer. When we are in trouble, pressed beyond measure and despairing even of life, we can only trust in God, who has delivered us in the past and delivers us in the present. He will surely deliver us in the future, for He alone is our ultimate resource in times of trouble.
4. Relationship - 2 Corinthians 1:11-12
While God is our ultimate resource, he works through our relationships with other believers to encourage us. As Paul faced his own problems, he reminded the believers that they had helped him. In times of trouble we need to know other believers are praying for us.
From reading 2 Corinthians, we learn:
1. Everybody has problems.
2. God is greater than our problems.
3. God can overrule our problems.
4. God can use our problems for his glory (see Romans 8:28). All of the trials that come to us are filtered through God's loving hands.
5. God will comfort us in all of our troubles.
6. We must choose how we will respond when trouble comes.
7. We must see things in light of eternity: our momentary light affliction is working in us a far more exciting and eternal weight of glory.
I’ve also recently read some encouraging thoughts in Unto the Hills by Billy Graham. Because our resources are unlimited, Christians will be winners. Millions of angels are at God's command and at our service. The host of heaven stands at attention as we make our way from earth to glory; Satan's BB guns are no match for God's heavenly artillery. As we approach the end of the age, the head of Satan is being battered and bruised as the forces of God gain momentum. Under the command of God, Michael, the Archangel, is now organizing his forces for the last battle – Armageddon. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan is called the god of this age. The Bible says the whole cosmos is under his control. What's going to transpire if something doesn't happen to Satan? Who is going to stop evil, who is going to dispose of Satan? Humanity is helpless before him. While legislation is important, the United Nations do not know how to handle him. They don't even understand they're dealing with a spiritual power or the enormous power of evil that is in the world today.
But we are aware that God is in the shadows of history and that He has a plan. The Christian is not to be disturbed by the chaos, violence, strife, bloodshed, and threat of war that fill the pages of our newspapers. We know these things are the consequences of men's sin and greed. If everything else were happening, we would doubt the Bible. Every day we see evidence of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
Every day I read my newspaper I say, “The Bible is true, and things are not falling apart they are falling into place. Heaven Rules.”
Together, let’s remember to look to Jesus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.
Helen Lemmel
We Would See Jesus,
Karen Pulley