Facing The Future In Faith Series

Facing The Future In Faith

How to Deal With An Unknown Future

Today we are going to conclude our series on Stressbusters. We are going to look at how to deal with an unknown future. How many of you remember what you were doing on morning of September 11, 2001? Do you remember what you were doing that morning?

I remember it was a warm morning here in Kansas. I had been out feeding my animals and had come in for breakfast. As I sitting down to eat breakfast I turned on the television – as I always do. The twin towers in New York City were on fire. Every so often they would cut away and show the Pentagon – also in flames.

I remember going to Topeka that afternoon and seeing lines at the gas stations. When I returned from Topeka I heard that there were lines at the gas station – even here in Burlingame. What a difference a day can make. People were frightened – the attack of New York caused a small panic even here in Kansas. Lots of people rushed out to fill up their gas tanks feeling that somehow that one small gesture would give them some small sense of security.

A lot of people spend their lives worrying about tomorrow. Will I have enough money for retirement? Will my health be good enough to enjoy my later years? Will I get the new job? Will I find the perfect man – or woman? They are so wrapped up with tomorrow that they never enjoy today because they fear of what the future may bring. Let’s look at Psalm 23:6.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalms 23:6 (NKJV)

In the 23rd Psalm there is no fear of the future. There is no anxiety – no worry about tomorrow. The author has confidence. The author has hope. You too can be free from anxiety, fear and worry. You too can live in confidence. Why? Let me give you three reasons:

1. God is watching OVER YOU.

When we have a personal relationship with God, we have a God who is concerned about us. He wants the best for us. He loves us. These are facts that you can find throughout the Bible. Most of you know Romans 8:28 read along with me.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Why are all things working for our good? Because God cares of us. Because God protects us. Because God watches over us. Now let me say this plainly as I can – this promise is not for all people. In fact the verse says that this promise is only intended for: those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

The Good Shepherd takes care of His own sheep. All things don’t work together for good for all the people in the world. That is not what this verse says. What it does say is that God watches out for His own. If you’re a believer, the Bible says, that all things are working for your good. Not everything is good – but God is able to cause all things to work for your good. Bad things happen to believers just as much as they happen to non-believer – but God is able to make good come out of it.

The greatest illustration about this fact is the crucifixion of Jesus.

God took one of the worst days in history – the day that Jesus Christ was crucified and made good come out of it. He took the execution of an innocent man – and brought us salvation by it. Look at what it says in Isaiah 53:

3 He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. 4 But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. 5 But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. Isaiah 53:3-5 (MSG)

God was able to take an awful day – and turn it into a glorious day. This shows how big our God is. He can take the worst and make it the best. God watches over us – but that’s not all. If you know Jesus as your savior: