The future is now. I know this might seem like a contradiction because the “now” is the present. The future is something that is going to happen, not something that is happening.
When I say the future is now, I mean that what we do, what we say and how we behave affects our future and those around us. So really, we should live like we are in the future.
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11
Every time I would hit a rough patch in my life, I would always think of this Bible verse. It would give me hope because I knew that God would not let me suffer forever…sooner or later, I would prosper.
I have recently learnt though that this Bible reading doesn’t mean what I thought it meant. It was one of those “Really?” moments. You know, when it comes as a shock to you that what you thought something was for so long, has actually turned out to be something completely different.
My hope is not lost though.
Here’s the gist of the story behind this verse…
Whilst the Israelites were in exile, there was a false prophet called Hananiah who stated that God was going to free them in two years. Well, as we probably know, God doesn’t kinda work like that in letting people tell Him what to do. It kinda goes the other way around. **wink**
Now, in steps the good guy, Jeremiah, to tackle this. **Sound the trumpets** He approached Hananiah and basically says, (and I’m paraphrasing here) “What do you think you are doin’?” Jeremiah then gives him a bit of a truth bomb and reveals that they are going to stay in exile for 70 years – a bit different to two years. Some of them probably won’t even live that long to see them being free!
The Israelites will prosper in the future, but only after they learnt to seek God where they are now – in their current situation.
“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7
If we can learn to seek the good things in the situation that we are in now, and be at peace with it, then we will prosper from it. You’ve probably read this and thought…
How on earth, in my current situation, can I think positive and look for something good? Seriously? I am just too tired and it takes up too much energy. It’s so much easier to just carry on with the way things are. Nobody cares anyway if I am a bit grumpy.
Does this sound about right?
Friend, God knows the plans He has for us and He will give us a beautiful future. But for now, as we are in this world living our crazy-filled lives, keep in mind that as we persevere through our difficulty, it will bring us hope and success.
Something to think about
Can you think of something that you are facing right now that you are finding difficult? If so, hold on to the true meaning of what Jeremiah 29:11 brings. Not hope that He will take away your difficulty and give you a better future, but that He will provide hope during your difficulty to make your future better.
Not hope that He will take away your difficulty and give you a better future, but that He will provide hope during your difficulty to make your future better. Share on X
Prayer
Lord, you know what I am facing right now, and I will be honest with you…I’m not liking it very much. Be with me Lord, right beside me and give me the hope that I need to persevere through this hard time. Open my eyes Lord, to what is around me and help me to grow through my trials. In Your Name. Amen
You are reading a Five Minute Friday word prompt. This is hosted by Kate Motaung and is where a group of people write about a given word for that week. This week the word is “future”. (Everything before the line break shows what I wrote in five minutes.) If you are interested in taking part or reading other people’s inspiring writes, then hop on over to the site.
