Looking Ahead to Something Better

We are used to looking ahead for better things. We will try hacks from social media in an effort to make things easier. We look forward to vacations to enjoy different scenery and opportunities. We may scan job postings to see if a position may better fit our needs. In each of these cases, we believe something better awaits us and this belief motivates us to action.

Hebrews 11:13-14 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.” Faith enables us to see beyond our circumstances to the things that God has promised. Believers are never hopelessly mired in things that drag them down, they are, however, always able to come through the circumstances by focusing on the sovereign God over all circumstances and His Word.

I Don’t Get It

I admit that my brain is not as sharp as it used to be. At times, I have trouble understanding what people say or what I see happening around me. New technologies can be beyond my ability to comprehend. I will see or hear things and think to myself, “I just don’t get it.” So I readily admit that my knowledge and understanding is limited.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” If we are honest, we will admit that we do not understand many things and that often we do the wrong thing. God possesses all knowledge and understanding. He is a good God and His thoughts and His ways should be trusted.

Overwhelmed

Entering a dark room, we see little, if anything, of our surroundings. The darkness overwhelms us and we cannot find our way out. We may walk, but only very gingerly, as it feels like we can trip and fall at any moment.

Psalm 40:2 says, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” Sometimes we feel like our problems overwhelm us and we may see no way out. God is the One who will lift us out of the forest of problems and place us upon the rock, who is Jesus. Then, will our steps be secure and lit by His unsurpassed light.

Warning Signs

You are going down a highway, cruising at whatever your normal speed is. Suddenly, you see signs informing you of road work ahead. The signs change to warnings about speed, directional changes, and pavement issues. Do you heed the signs and slow down or do you stay within the flow of traffic with higher speeds? Warning signs are designed to make our lives safer and thus much more happy.

Proverbs 15:13, 16 says, “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” It seems obvious that a glad heart makes us smile. The problem is that we often seek the wrong things to make our heart glad. It is by knowing and loving God that our hearts become truly glad, all other pursuits lead us into disappointment and crush our spirits.

Enter Confidently

You have golden tickets to a special event. You’ve dressed appropriately in your finest attire. You know the right people. Your confidence is soaring. When you arrive, you find that the event exceeds your expectations by a wide margin.

Hebrews 19-22 says, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith with our hearts sprinkled clean and our bodies wash with pure water.” The sacrifice of Jesus Christ has done something amazing for us, allowing us to confidently come into God’s presence. He not only opened the door for us, but He also leads us into God’s presence advocating for us.