A Hopeful Future

A Hopeful Future

Samantha Evilsizer

This past year, people I love had to grapple with some very difficult things —home foreclosures, loss of businesses, suicide attempts, drug overdoses, deaths of loved ones, extramarital affairs, children imprisoned, another year of unemployment. In the midst of such hardships, it’s easy to doubt that God can redeem the pain, recover what’s lost, heal all that’s broken. Can He truly fit the pieces of the past into a hopeful future?

If I look only at my circumstances and rely on what my circumstances imply, I’m apt to believe the Lord isn’t able. However, circumstances can change, and unless I’m anchored to something unchanging, my faith will rise and fall with my circumstances.

God never changes. His power to give a hopeful future never changes. His Word never changes. So when life weaves threads of doubt into my mind about God’s authority, I reread accounts of His faithfulness and redemption throughout the Bible.

While Job’s family, home, and health were being demolished, God was preparing to give him double of what had been killed, stolen, and damaged.

While Joseph was a slave and prisoner, God was planning for him to be second in command over Egypt.

When Ruth was a homeless, barren widow, God was creating a home for her with Boaz. She would become a wife, mother, and great-great-great-grandmother to Jesus.

The moment David laid down in adultery with Bathsheba, God was laying the groundwork for him to rise up in repentance.

As Moses killed an Egyptian with his hands, God saw him chiseling the Ten Commandments with those same hands.

When Peter lost faith and denied Christ, God knew Peter would soon boldly proclaim Christ to thousands.

While Mary watched Jesus dying on the cross, God saw Jesus resurrected and seated on His heavenly throne!

No matter how dire the circumstances, God turned each story into a hopeful future. None of God’s plans can be thwarted. God can reverse, restore, revive, and renew. He sees beyond our present troubles and sparks a fire to light up the future with hope.

Be on the lookout for His plans. Trust Him. He can take any circumstance and use it for your good and His glory.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. And for recording stories of dreary pasts turned into hopeful futures. Please do the same for my circumstances. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REMEMBER

No matter how bleak your situation, God can use it for your good and His glory.

REFLECT

Who do you know whose circumstances are dismal? How are you seeing God turn them around? In what ways does that encourage you for your own situation?

RESPOND

God never changes. His power to give a hopeful future never changes. His Word never changes. So when life weaves threads of doubt into your mind about God’s authority, reread accounts of His faithfulness and redemption throughout the Bible.

POWER VERSES

Genesis 50:19–20; Psalm 40:5