Pastor's Ponderings, October 31, 2016

We Have Great Hope For Our Future

“Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Macbeth in Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” paints a rather gloomy portrait of life.  If that is all there is, why bother hope or dream or have a vision for our future?

Thank God He has given us all a purpose. He said that before we were born, He knew us intimately and our life was established (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:16).  The Creator of Heaven and Earth desires to work out His purpose in our lives (Philippians 2:13). We are awed by the inspired writings of William Shakespeare, but God gives us a hope for the future.  We are not a tale told by an idiot, but we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He has great plans for us to do wonderful things in the earth to glorify Him and even throughout eternity (Jeremiah 29:11, John 17:1-3).

In this world where hope has faded, where the future seems bleak and troubled and where many seem to be wandering purposelessly through life, God wants us to know that our hope is in Him.  He wants us to joyfully know that He will make our way clear and will not abandon us in times of trouble.  While Shakespeare says life is but a walking shadow, we know that God will continue to keep, comfort, and cherish us forever.

Jeremiah 1:5
New International Version (NIV)

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 139:16
New International Version (NIV)

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Philippians 2:13
New International Version (NIV)

13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Psalm 139:14
New International Version (NIV)

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

John 17:1-3
New International Version (NIV)

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you

2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.