Embracing the Future: Trusting God's Promises Ahead
Summary
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves looking back, reminiscing about the "good old days," and sometimes we are tempted to believe that the past was better than our present or future. However, as we delve into the Word of God, we are reminded that our lives as believers are meant to progress from triumph to triumph, from victory to victory. Our faith assures us that the best is yet to come, and this is the core of today's teaching.
We began by exploring Ecclesiastes 7:10, which cautions us against longing for the past. It's easy to fall into the trap of nostalgia, especially during times of hardship. However, we must understand that God has a plan for our future that is greater than anything we've experienced before. Our hope is not in the seen, but in the unseen, as we await with patience the fulfillment of God's promises (Romans 8:24-25).
To live in the now and face our future with confidence, the Lord has equipped us with three essential tools: faith, hope, and love, with love being the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13). To cultivate a heart full of hope for better times, we must first transform our speech. Instead of asking "when" our circumstances will change, we should declare "although" we face challenges, we will rejoice in the Lord (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Our second point of focus is trust in our Lord. God's nature is unchanging; His love, power, and mercy remain constant. We must not doubt His promises or His presence with us. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He has assured us of His continual presence (Matthew 28:20).
Lastly, we must shift the focus of our lives. The Apostle Paul teaches us to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13). We cannot change the past, but we can be grateful for it and look forward to what God will do. Our focus should always be forward, as exemplified by the lampstand in the tabernacle, which was designed to shine light ahead (Numbers 8:2). Isaiah 43:18-19 encourages us not to dwell on the past but to anticipate the new things God will do.
In conclusion, we are called to change our "whens" to "althoughs," to trust in our unchanging Lord, and to shift our focus from the past to the future that God has in store for us. Let us embrace this teaching and move forward with confidence, knowing that our best days are ahead of us.
Key Takeaways:
- God orchestrates our lives in such a way that our future holds greater promise than our past. We must embrace this truth with conviction, knowing that our hope is not anchored in the temporal but in the eternal promises of God. This hope is not passive; it is active and patient, awaiting God's perfect timing. [14:19]
- The power of our words can shape our reality. By replacing "when" with "although," we affirm our trust in God's provision and joy, regardless of our circumstances. This shift in language reflects a profound trust in God's sovereignty and a refusal to be held captive by nostalgia or despair. [16:38]
- Trust in the Lord is not a fleeting sentiment but a steadfast anchor for our souls. God's unchanging nature is a source of comfort and assurance, especially when we are tempted to doubt His presence and promises in our current struggles. His faithfulness in the past is a guarantee of His faithfulness in the future. [19:57]
- Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead is not merely a suggestion from the Apostle Paul; it is a directive for living a life of purpose and progress. We must intentionally let go of past failures and successes alike to fully embrace the potential of our present and future in Christ. [22:40]
- Our focus must always be forward, not backward. The design of the lampstand in the tabernacle serves as a metaphor for our lives, illuminating the path ahead. God is doing a new thing, and we are called to look ahead with anticipation for the fresh paths and rivers He will provide in our deserts. [24:51]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ecclesiastes 7:10 - "Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not wise to ask such questions."
2. Romans 8:24-25 - "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
3. Philippians 3:13 - "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ecclesiastes 7:10, why is it unwise to long for the past? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about nostalgia? [12:28]
2. In Romans 8:24-25, what is the nature of the hope that believers are called to have? How does this hope influence our perspective on the future? [14:19]
3. What does Philippians 3:13 suggest about the Apostle Paul's approach to past experiences and future goals? How does this align with the sermon’s teaching on focusing forward? [22:40]
4. How does the metaphor of the lampstand in Numbers 8:2 illustrate the importance of focusing on the future rather than the past? [24:51]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How can changing our language from "when" to "although" impact our faith and outlook on life? What does this shift signify about our trust in God? [16:38]
2. What does it mean to trust in God's unchanging nature, as highlighted in Hebrews 13:8 and Matthew 28:20? How can this trust provide comfort during difficult times? [19:57]
3. How does the concept of forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, as mentioned in Philippians 3:13, challenge our natural inclinations? What practical steps can we take to adopt this mindset? [22:40]
4. In what ways does Isaiah 43:18-19 encourage us to anticipate new things from God? How can this anticipation shape our daily lives and decisions? [24:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found yourself longing for the past. How did this affect your present outlook and actions? What steps can you take to focus more on the future God has planned for you? [12:28]
2. How can you actively cultivate hope in your life, especially during challenging times? What specific actions or changes in speech can help you maintain a hopeful perspective? [16:38]
3. Trusting in God's unchanging nature can be difficult during trials. Share a personal experience where you struggled to trust God. How did you overcome this, or what can you do differently next time? [19:57]
4. Identify one area of your life where you need to let go of the past. What practical steps can you take to focus on the future and the new things God is doing? [22:40]
5. The sermon emphasized the power of our words. How can you change your language to reflect trust and hope in God? Give an example of a "when" statement you can transform into an "although" statement. [16:38]
6. How can you remind yourself daily of God's promises and His presence with you? What practices or habits can you incorporate into your routine to strengthen your trust in Him? [19:57]
7. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the teaching from Isaiah 43:18-19 to this situation? What new thing might God be doing in your life through this challenge? [24:51]
---
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon’s message and apply its teachings to their lives. Encourage open and honest discussion, and remind participants that the goal is to grow together in faith and understanding.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Future with Hope
The journey of faith is marked by an ever-increasing glory, a path where each step forward is an opportunity to experience God's greater purpose for our lives. The belief that the best is yet to come is not a passive wish but a conviction rooted in the eternal promises of God. This hope is active, requiring patience and a steadfast gaze towards the fulfillment of what has been promised. It is a hope that does not get entangled in the present circumstances but looks beyond to the unseen, where the truest form of reality lies. As believers, we are encouraged to hold onto this hope, knowing that our temporal struggles are paving the way for an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all. [14:19]
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV)
Reflection: What unseen promise of God are you holding onto today, and how can you actively demonstrate your hope in this promise?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Words
Our words have the power to shape our reality and reflect the condition of our hearts. By consciously choosing to replace "when" with "although," we affirm our trust in God's provision and joy, regardless of our circumstances. This shift in language is not merely about positive thinking; it's a declaration of faith in God's sovereignty and a refusal to be held captive by nostalgia or despair. It is a commitment to rejoice in the Lord always, even when the fig tree does not blossom, and there are no grapes on the vines. [16:38]
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you've been saying "when" instead of "although"? How can you reframe this situation with words of faith and trust in God's sovereignty?
Day 3: Anchored in God's Unchanging Nature
Trust in the Lord is a steadfast anchor for our souls, especially during times of uncertainty and change. God's unchanging nature is a source of comfort and assurance, reminding us that His love, power, and mercy remain constant. When we are tempted to doubt His presence and promises, we can look back at His faithfulness in the past as a guarantee of His faithfulness in the future. This trust is not based on our fluctuating feelings but on the solid truth of who God is. [19:57]
"Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end." (Psalm 102:25-27 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God's unchanging nature provided comfort in your life. How can you use this memory to strengthen your trust in Him during current challenges?
Day 4: Letting Go to Move Forward
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead is a directive for living a life of purpose and progress. It requires an intentional release of past failures and successes to fully embrace the potential of our present and future in Christ. This act of letting go is not about neglecting the lessons of the past but about not allowing them to hinder our growth or the new work God wants to do in and through us. [22:40]
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)
Reflection: What past experience might be holding you back from pressing forward in your spiritual journey? How can you let go of this today to pursue the upward call of God in Christ Jesus?
Day 5: Illuminating the Path Ahead
Our focus must always be forward, not backward. Just as the lampstand in the tabernacle was designed to shine light ahead, we are called to look ahead with anticipation for the fresh paths and rivers God will provide in our deserts. He is doing a new thing, and it is our privilege to be attentive and responsive to His leading. This forward focus is not about ignoring the past but about being open to the new and wonderful works God has planned for us. [24:51]
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV)
Reflection: What new thing might God be doing in your life, and how can you actively participate in this new work He is unveiling?
Quotes
1) "No podemos cambiar el pasado, pero podemos ser agradecidos por él y mirar hacia adelante a lo que Dios hará." [22:40] (Download)
2) "El enfoque de Dios nunca es hacia atrás; siempre procedemos hacia la meta, confiando en lo nuevo que Él hará." [24:51] (Download)
3) "Somos el resultado de lo que escuchamos, lo que pensamos, lo que declaramos y terminamos creyendo." [27:11] (Download)
4) "Nadie sabe que lo que viene es mejor para nosotros, pero tenemos la certeza en la fe de que viviremos eternamente con Cristo." [14:19] (Download)
5) "Hagamos un cambio en nuestras palabras, cambiemos los 'cuando' por los 'aunque', reflejando nuestra confianza en Dios." [16:38] (Download)
6) "Dios es un Dios inmutable; Su amor, poder y misericordia no cambian. Él es el mismo ayer, hoy y por los siglos." [19:57] (Download)
7) "Aunque no haya cosecha, aunque no haya fríjoles, carne o pollo, con todo eso, yo me alegraré en el Señor." [16:38] (Download)
8) "Si Dios está permitiendo que pasemos por este desierto, es porque Él se va a glorificar allí sobrenaturalmente en nuestras vidas." [27:11] (Download)
9) "Dios siempre está con nosotros, y si Dios es con nosotros, ¿quién contra nosotros? Él está siempre con nosotros, por eso hoy podemos tener esperanza." [19:57] (Download)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?