How to be THANKFUL when the future seems uncertain……
We are in a time in our country where the present as well as the future seems very uncertain. We are struggling with what is taking place in states all around our country and wondering how and when it will end. We have an especially important election coming up that will determine what direction is taken for our country in the future. We are all facing uncertain times in our own lives as some have lost jobs and loved ones because of this virus. We are all facing difficulties of some type and wondering when it will end. What does the future hold?
When you look at our scripture for today, we see that Jeremiah is facing an uncertain future as he contemplates the relentless sorrow over Judah’s judgement. We see in (3:1-20) that Jeremiah is facing an uncertain future because of Israel’s perpetual sin without repentance. Jeremiah is praying before God that He would stop the punishment and in hopes that the people would repent and turn back to God. Jeremiah understood that God needed to punish the people, because of the constant sinning but he continued to pray before God. Jeremiah continued to pray to God because he longed to see repentance in the people.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]In Lamentations 3:21-33 we see that Jeremiah has started to realize that he needs to be thankful for God and what he provides to his children. Vs21 – This I call to mind. As Jeremiah refers to what follows as he reviews God’s character. Vs 22 – Love. This word is used about 250 times throughout the Old Testament. It refers to God’s gracious love. Which encompasses love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, truth, compassion and faithfulness. Vs 22 – 24 – His compassion never fails. As bleak as a judgement over Judah had become, God’s faithfulness always endured so that Judah would not be destroyed forever. Vs. 23 – Great is your faithfulness. We can always have the strong faith because of the reality that God keeps all His promises. He will never fail us. Vs. 25 – 33 – God’s discipline and love. We see that God is good to him that hopes in Him and seeks Him. Also, that there is discipline and love provided for when man fails God.[/perfectpullquote]As I have read and reread this scripture and have investigated my life. There are times that I have struggled with my faith. Not sure with the pain I deal with each day, wondering if God will ever heal me. But over the last few years I have realized that God is using my pain to be able to be an encouragement to other people. Those who are going through difficult times, not sure how the future will end up being. But as I talk to people, they see that I am thankful for what God is doing in my life and how I can bring that encouragement to other people.
The present right now is scary but the future is even worse. Because we do not know how it will work out. But as God’s children we need to look at this scripture and realize that God is always with us. We can be thankful for each day we can get up and go about our business for the day. We can know that we are never alone, and that God is right by our side. We see is (vs.23-26) that if we are faithful to God and place our hope in Him that we will never face anything, whether it is now or in the future, we will never be alone. We as God’s children need to present this to others and show them that we need to always trust in God and be thankful for what He does.
God’s blessings as you strive to be thankful to God.
Timothy Howells Sr.
