Future and Hope

Jeremiah 29:11 "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."

Future: that is to be; specifically: existing after death; existing or occurring at a later time

Hope: to cherish a desire with anticipation 

I believe this verse has a two- fold promise. Present future (in the life on earth) and eternity future (heaven).

Present Future-

God has promised to give us a future. He has specific plans and designs for our lives. Unfortunately, we often choose the path we would like, but his plans still prevail. We may take a number of detours but if we are truly committed to following his lead he will guide us on the path  he has planned out for us. 

We do need to remember that we have an enemy who is out to derail those plans and to destroy our lives.  John 10:10 "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  

Our battle is not against men even though the enemy uses people in our lives. The real battle is waged in the spirit realm. Ephesians 6:12 "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

We must also remember that things are not always as they appear. The mirror on my car says: "Objects are closer than they appear." Also, if you've ever gone into a fun house at a fair or amusement park you have seen distorted mirrors that mess with your mind. The same holds true in our spirit life. The enemy will build things up to look worse than they are or he will downplay them to make them look less serious than they are depending upon his current goal in our lives. 

The scripture admonishes us not to look at our circumstances through earthly eyes but spirit eyes. 

2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we live by faith, not by sight."  Ephesians 1:18-19 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."

Eternity Future-

Our future does not stop when we leave this earthly body. It just begins!!!!   Ecclesiastes 3:11a "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart;" 

Revelation 21:4-7 "‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.' He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.'"

Present Hope-

We hope in the promises of God. Here are three of those promises:

1. We are never alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

2. God will give us strength as we hope in him. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)" ...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

3. We receive happiness (joy) as we hope in The Lord. Proverbs 10:28 "The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing."

We all have desires and dreams that God has placed in our hearts.  We pray and hope in faith that God will bring them about in his time. Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."    

Eternity Hope- 

We, like Abraham, are hoping (looking/waiting) for our heavenly home. Hebrews 11:10 "Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God."

God has plans and desires for each of us. If we place our lives securely in his trustworthy hands he will give us our future and our hope!!!