Today is the tomorrow you feared yesterday. We live in only three days: yesterday, today and tomorrow. Yesterday is gone, but we learned a few things. Today we continue to learn, grow and use our faith. But tomorrow—that’s another story.
Tomorrow is filled with uncertainties, seems unpredictable and appears to be mysterious. We don’t know tomorrow—but God does. As Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: “‘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'” (NIV).
Based on this promise, I can face my future with confidence, certitude and full assurance that all things will work together for my good.
Here are some points to ponder:
- God has His own set of plans for me, so I can go ahead and scrap mine. As the old adage says, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”
- He plans to prosper me. I shall not live in want. I shall have all that I need for what He has called me to do. That’s the purpose of prosperity.
- He has no plans or intentions to harm me. I’m safe in the boundary of His perfect plan. What is present pain will turn to enormous joy. As the English poet Adelaide Procter wrote: “Shine bright, strong golden chain / And bless the cleansing fire / And the furnace of living pain.”
- He will give me a future filled with hope. My future is brighter than anything I have ever experienced. The best is yet to come. At times, I am confused about tomorrow as I journey along the road least trodden, but He comforts me saying: “My son, it’s only a bend. It’s not the end.”
I can face tomorrow with all its fears, pain and dilemmas with certainty that God is in full control and that my life is in good hands. So I’ve asked myself: “Am I out of control, under control or in control?”
On his journey back home, Jacob was filled with fear, knowing he was going to have to face his angry brother, Esau. He met God on the way and was changed into a prince (Gen. 32). Yet, he feared Esau and took strategies to meet him. He bowed to the ground seven times in deep humility before his brother, hoping to appease his anger, but God had gone ahead of him and softened Esau’s heart (Gen. 33).
Jacob did not have to fear because God was already there. And, for the same reason, I live fearlessly, embracing the challenges of life and ministry, leaving tomorrow in the most capable hands in the universe.
Because I cannot wrestle with God Himself, I have been made to wrestle with issues He sent my way, like angels in disguise. They have worked for my benefit as I emerged from bended knees and a bleeding spirit, more than a conqueror.
Like Jacob, I urge you to pray through your darkest night until victory dawns upon your tired soul.
Like Elijah, I encourage you to pray until it rains thunderous showers of blessings upon you, your family and your ministry.
Someone once said, “A praying Christian can do more on bended knees than all the scientists put together.” There is awesome power in prayer. There is great power in faith. Combine both, and you shall impact your community, dispel the darkness, protect your present and be assured of a vastly successful tomorrow.
Prayer Points
- Think about what you have most been worrying about, and ask God to help you surrender any of your plans that aren’t in line with His will.
- Reflect on times in the past when God knew better, and His plans were greater than your own.
- Ask God to continue to show you the power of prayer, and to help you show it to others.
Share your thoughts. See comments below, and add your own.