How can I be sure God will direct my future in this life?

Psalm 32:8The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

Proverbs 16:9We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

The Lord directs our steps. Though the pathway may lead through some dark valleys or seem to take some unnecessary detours, we will one day look back and discover that the Lord’s way was best.

Jeremiah 29:10-11This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 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.”

Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet” because he grieved for his people after seeing what would happen to them. He prophesied during a painful time when God was punishing Israel for their unfaithfulness. Instead of repenting, however, the Israelites turned to false prophets who told them what they wanted to hear. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took many Israelites into exile and even looted the utensils of the Lord’s Temple. Jeremiah’s prophesy that the remaining Israelites would be exiled as well—for 70 years—was not well received. During these terrible times, with more terrible things on the horizon, Jeremiah promised that God had Israel’s best interests at heart. Too often we doubt God’s care. We are tempted to think he is neglecting us or has forgotten us. But God, our loving Shepherd, will always guide us through the dark valleys and lead us to good pastures in the end, giving us “a future and a hope.”

Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

God finishes what he starts. We should not allow our finite perspective to blind us to the promise that God will complete his work in us.