Worried About the Future
Do you ever worry? If you do, I cannot say I’m surprised, especially if you do not know my God. We cannot know what will happen tomorrow, or next week, or next year—or even before you read another sentence. All kinds of dire things could come our way: the economy could crash; we could have a car accident, lose a family member to cancer, break a leg, or . . . Without God, the future would certainly be scary to me. But because of Him, I am not afraid of the future. Let me tell you a few of the reasons, so you’ll want to know Him too. cçê=çåÉI=eÉ=áë=ãó=içêÇK=I have turned my life over to Him. I have decided, and am determined, that no matter what, I will choose to do His will. This commitment influences every decision I make. Because I love God and want to serve Him, I will not do those things that displease Him. I strive to do only those things that are His will because I want to please Him. My life is not my own. Therefore, I do
not need to worry, because my Lord will take care of me. He has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). ^åçíÜÉê=êÉ~ëçå=áë=ÄÉÅ~ìëÉ=eÉ=äçîÉë=ãÉK He proved it to me by giving His Son to die for my sins. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Because God loves me, He will allow only those things that are good to come into my life. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). That does not mean He will not allow hard or painful things in my life. In fact, He does bring some hard experiences to me. What loving father does not discipline his child? But I know He does it for my good, so I trust Him. What God allows to come, He will also give me strength to face. This is His promise: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a
way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). ^äëçI=eÉ=âåçïë=íÜÉ=ÑìíìêÉK He has proven this in the Bible. He gave hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament—centuries before they happened—and they were fulfilled, just as He said. The Bible tells us God inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15). He is not limited by time, as we are. He can see the end even now. And He can plan my life so much better than I ever could. eÉ= áë= ~ääJéçïÉêÑìäK “With God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). My God can do the impossible. He can work out problems that to me seem absolutely unworkable. I have seen Him do it before, and I am confident He will do it again as I trust Him as my Lord and Guide. Many times I have done just what the psalmist said he did: “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me” (Psalm 120:1). His promise is, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15).
få= ~ÇÇáíáçåI= eÉ= áë= íÜÉ= ëçìêÅÉ= çÑ= ïáëÇçãK Have you ever reached the place where you simply did not know which way to go? a situation where you felt there was no right way? a dead end where all seemed hopeless? I have. What then? My God has the answers even then. “The LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). And He ï~åíë to give me that wisdom! “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). So, no matter how bleak the future or how difficult the predicament, my Lord wants me to trust Him. And I have learned that when I trust Him, He is faithful—He will not let me down. mäìëI=eÉ=âåçïë=~ää=íÜáåÖëK We may feel so insignificant that we doubt God could care for us. When we do that, we show we don’t understand Him; we’re thinking of Him as being on our level—like us. But His knowledge and abilities are far above ours. He can and does care for me, and
you, and millions of others—individually, lovingly—all at the same time. Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6, 7). Yes, I admit, I do sometimes forget these things about my God. Perhaps something difficult comes along, and I forget to trust—and worry sets in. But even then, He is faithful; His Spirit in my heart reminds me of His love and goodness and greatness and His care for me. And I come back to trusting Him. So you see, with a God like that in control of my life, why should I worry? I want you to experience the same peace He has given me. Don’t you think it is time for you to get to know Him too?
Christian Light Publications, Inc. Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Phone (540) 434-0768 www.clp.org Printed in U.S.A.
11-12
not need to worry, because my Lord will take care of me. He has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). ^åçíÜÉê=êÉ~ëçå=áë=ÄÉÅ~ìëÉ=eÉ=äçîÉë=ãÉK He proved it to me by giving His Son to die for my sins. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Because God loves me, He will allow only those things that are good to come into my life. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). That does not mean He will not allow hard or painful things in my life. In fact, He does bring some hard experiences to me. What loving father does not discipline his child? But I know He does it for my good, so I trust Him. What God allows to come, He will also give me strength to face. This is His promise: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a
way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). ^äëçI=eÉ=âåçïë=íÜÉ=ÑìíìêÉK He has proven this in the Bible. He gave hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament—centuries before they happened—and they were fulfilled, just as He said. The Bible tells us God inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15). He is not limited by time, as we are. He can see the end even now. And He can plan my life so much better than I ever could. eÉ= áë= ~ääJéçïÉêÑìäK “With God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). My God can do the impossible. He can work out problems that to me seem absolutely unworkable. I have seen Him do it before, and I am confident He will do it again as I trust Him as my Lord and Guide. Many times I have done just what the psalmist said he did: “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me” (Psalm 120:1). His promise is, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15).
få= ~ÇÇáíáçåI= eÉ= áë= íÜÉ= ëçìêÅÉ= çÑ= ïáëÇçãK Have you ever reached the place where you simply did not know which way to go? a situation where you felt there was no right way? a dead end where all seemed hopeless? I have. What then? My God has the answers even then. “The LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). And He ï~åíë to give me that wisdom! “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). So, no matter how bleak the future or how difficult the predicament, my Lord wants me to trust Him. And I have learned that when I trust Him, He is faithful—He will not let me down. mäìëI=eÉ=âåçïë=~ää=íÜáåÖëK We may feel so insignificant that we doubt God could care for us. When we do that, we show we don’t understand Him; we’re thinking of Him as being on our level—like us. But His knowledge and abilities are far above ours. He can and does care for me, and
you, and millions of others—individually, lovingly—all at the same time. Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6, 7). Yes, I admit, I do sometimes forget these things about my God. Perhaps something difficult comes along, and I forget to trust—and worry sets in. But even then, He is faithful; His Spirit in my heart reminds me of His love and goodness and greatness and His care for me. And I come back to trusting Him. So you see, with a God like that in control of my life, why should I worry? I want you to experience the same peace He has given me. Don’t you think it is time for you to get to know Him too?
Christian Light Publications, Inc. Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Phone (540) 434-0768 www.clp.org Printed in U.S.A.
11-12
