Do you enjoy surprises…or do you dread them? Are you the type of person who likes things to be spontaneous and unpredictable…or do you prefer to always know what lies ahead so that you can plan for every contingency?

One of the greatest blessings I’ve personally received over the years has been the realization that, no matter how my present circumstances appear, God has a plan for the future – a plan that is already in place, already in action, already indisputably for our best good and His glory. What a comfort that fact has been in the “dark times.”

Imagine how Daniel must have felt… taken from friends and family and held as a captive of the Babylonian Empire (albeit an influential one). Imagine what Noah might have thought, commissioned to preach and build an ark on dry land for 120 years. God, in His infinite mercy, gave these two faithful servants – as well as many others – insights into His plans for the future; His great love for His children prompted Him to share coming events with them so that they would not be surprised.

“Through His servants, the prophets,” God has given us insights into His future plans as well. He reminds us, individually, that He knows “the thoughts that I think toward you.to give you a future and a hope,” (Jeremiah 29:13) and that He came “so that [you] might have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) He also reminds us that all the sickness, sorrow, death, pain, doubt, suffering, and sin we see around us shall soon be gone, when “the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

What a blessing we have in that we can have confidence and peace for the future because, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) May God’s Word fill and inspire you this weekend…no matter what the TV news might say! 🙂