3:139 – Something To Look Forward To

#faithbites #faithjourney Something

The days are getting longer, both literally (summer) and figuratively (COVID-19 quarantine). I have noticed not only in my own demeanor but in others, tiredness, depression, and gloominess. It is like we are living in the movie Groundhog’s Day. The days just keep going and we are stuck. The problem is, what do we have to look forward to? Summer, normally one of the most exciting times of the year, is on hold for most things. Pools are closed, summer camps cancelled, concerts postponed, even 4th of July celebrations shelved. What is there to break the monotony? We all need something to look forward to. Without that, it seems like we are just spinning endlessly.

While I may not have an answer to the day to day something to look forward to, the Bible tells us we have the everlasting love of Christ and eternal salvation to look forward to. What are you most excited for?

Scripture

• Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
• Hebrews 11:8-10 – By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:5 –  For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Reflection

Most of us look to the future based on what we had in the past. We love those things as change is hard. But even God, did a new thing in Christ. He changed what he was doing and made a stand. Like us, we can expect new things and not rely on the former. We can look to Abraham as someone who trusted in God to provide. He didn’t know where he was going or what would await him there. He know that God would deliver him. Similarly, the Jews were looking for a King like kings in the past, not the Messiah they got in Christ.

We do trust God. We know that Heaven awaits us. That no matter what happens to our earthly experience (our tents may tear), we have a tent waiting for us in Heaven. We can look forward to the day when we are reunited with our Father, see our savior, and rejoin those who we have lost.

When the days are long and hope seems lost. Remember, that Jesus is with you until the end of the age. You have a helper in the Holy Spirit and that our Father only wants the best for us.

Challenge

List one thing you are looking forward to that can not be stopped by a virus, disease, or anything outside of your control. Share that with others. Then focus on that one thing. That will provide you solace.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for always giving us something to look forward to. You provide us with a peace of mind knowing that no matter what happens on this earth, you have a place for us. You gave your son to die so that we can be with you in our purest sin-free forms. We can’t even imagine what that type of sacrifice is. Help us to know that you always follow through with your promises. Let us focus on you when it seems that we have nothing to look forward to. Thank you, Lord. Amen.