Trusting God's Promises for Our Future
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound promises of God concerning our future. We began by acknowledging the uncertainty and lack of control we have over our future, which often leads to worry. However, God offers us assurance through His promises. First, we learned that God knows everything that will happen in our lives because He is timeless and omniscient. This means He is never surprised by our circumstances and has already planned every day of our lives before we were born. This understanding should encourage us to trust in His good plans for us, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11, which are designed to prosper us and give us hope.
We also discussed the importance of choosing God's plan over our own. While God has a good plan for each of us, it is not automatic; we must actively choose to trust and obey Him. Our free will allows us to make choices, but pride often leads us to choose our own way, causing us to miss out on God's purpose. However, if we choose to trust and obey God, we can fulfill the purpose for which we were created.
Furthermore, we were reminded that God will be with us every step of the way. His presence is a constant in our lives, even when we don't feel it. This promise of His faithfulness assures us that we are never alone, no matter what the future holds. We also learned that every fear is a misunderstanding of who God is and what He has promised. By understanding His character and promises, we can live without fear and anxiety about the future.
Finally, we were encouraged to embrace God's promises, including His guidance when we are confused, His help when we are tempted, His support in times of trouble, His justice for those who hurt us, and His reward for our service and generosity. Most importantly, God promises to keep us saved until we reach heaven, ensuring that our salvation is secure in His hands.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Omniscience and Timelessness: God knows everything about our future because He is not bound by time. This means He is never surprised by our circumstances and has already planned every day of our lives before we were born. Trusting in His omniscience allows us to rest in His good plans for us. [01:49]
2. Choosing God's Plan: While God has a good plan for each of us, it is not automatic. We must actively choose to trust and obey Him. Our free will allows us to make choices, but pride often leads us to choose our own way, causing us to miss out on God's purpose. [08:22]
3. God's Constant Presence: God promises to be with us every step of the way, even when we don't feel it. His faithfulness assures us that we are never alone, no matter what the future holds. Understanding His character and promises helps us live without fear and anxiety. [14:15]
4. God's Justice and Vengeance: God promises to repay those who hurt us, allowing us to let go of bitterness and resentment. Trusting in His justice frees us from the burden of seeking revenge and allows us to focus on living a life of love and service. [47:19]
5. Security of Salvation: God promises to keep us saved until we reach heaven. Our salvation is secure in His hands, and we can trust that He will complete the good work He began in us. This assurance allows us to live confidently, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [01:02:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to God's Promises
- [00:30] - God's Promises About the Future
- [01:00] - The Uncertainty of the Future
- [01:15] - Four Facts About Your Future
- [01:49] - God's Omniscience
- [02:42] - God's Timeless Perspective
- [04:35] - No Secrets from God
- [05:26] - God's Plan for Your Life
- [06:09] - God's Good Plan
- [07:19] - Choosing God's Plan
- [08:22] - The Freedom to Choose
- [09:57] - The Danger of Pride
- [11:27] - Trust and Obey God
- [13:08] - Choose Life
- [14:15] - God's Constant Presence
- [17:16] - The Faithfulness of God
- [18:34] - God's Promise to Guide
- [22:32] - God's Help in Temptation
- [36:22] - God's Support in Trouble
- [47:19] - God's Justice and Vengeance
- [51:30] - Reward for Service and Generosity
- [01:02:54] - Security of Salvation
- [01:06:47] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
2. Hebrews 13:5-6 - "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'"
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what does God's omniscience mean for our understanding of the future? How does this relate to the concept of God being timeless? [01:49]
2. What are the implications of having free will in choosing God's plan over our own, as discussed in the sermon? [08:22]
3. How does the sermon describe God's constant presence in our lives, even when we don't feel it? [14:15]
4. What does the sermon say about God's promise to repay those who hurt us, and how should this affect our response to injustice? [47:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding God's omniscience and timelessness help believers trust in His plans for their lives, as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:11? [06:40]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that pride can lead us away from God's purpose, and how can believers actively choose to trust and obey God? [09:57]
3. How does the promise of God's constant presence, as stated in Hebrews 13:5-6, provide comfort and assurance to believers facing an uncertain future? [14:15]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of God's justice in dealing with those who have wronged us, and how does this influence our understanding of forgiveness and letting go of bitterness? [49:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain about the future. How can the understanding of God's omniscience and good plans for you, as described in Jeremiah 29:11, change your perspective on that situation? [06:40]
2. Consider a decision you are currently facing. How can you actively choose to trust and obey God's plan over your own desires, as discussed in the sermon? [08:22]
3. Identify a moment when you felt alone or abandoned. How can the promise of God's constant presence, even when not felt, encourage you in similar situations in the future? [14:15]
4. Think of a person or situation where you have been wronged. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching on God's justice to let go of any bitterness or desire for revenge? [49:33]
5. What are some practical steps you can take to embrace God's guidance when you are confused, as promised in Proverbs 3:5-6? [20:09]
6. Reflect on a temptation you frequently face. How can you rely on God's promise to provide a way out, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:13, to overcome it? [22:32]
7. How can you incorporate more acts of service and generosity into your daily life, knowing that God promises to reward these actions? [51:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Omniscience
God's omniscience means He knows everything about our future because He is not bound by time. This understanding should encourage us to trust in His good plans for us, as He is never surprised by our circumstances and has already planned every day of our lives before we were born. By trusting in His omniscience, we can rest in the assurance that His plans are designed to prosper us and give us hope. This trust allows us to let go of our worries about the future, knowing that God is in control and has our best interests at heart. [01:49]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you actively choose to trust His omniscience today?
Day 2: Choosing God's Plan Over Our Own
While God has a good plan for each of us, it is not automatic. We must actively choose to trust and obey Him. Our free will allows us to make choices, but pride often leads us to choose our own way, causing us to miss out on God's purpose. By choosing to trust and obey God, we can fulfill the purpose for which we were created. This requires humility and a willingness to surrender our own desires in favor of God's perfect plan. [08:22]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision where you chose your own way over God's. How can you realign your choices with His plan today?
Day 3: Embracing God's Constant Presence
God promises to be with us every step of the way, even when we don't feel it. His faithfulness assures us that we are never alone, no matter what the future holds. Understanding His character and promises helps us live without fear and anxiety. By recognizing His constant presence, we can find peace and strength in every situation, knowing that He is always with us, guiding and supporting us through life's challenges. [14:15]
Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV): "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of God's presence in your daily life, especially during times of fear or uncertainty?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Justice
God promises to repay those who hurt us, allowing us to let go of bitterness and resentment. Trusting in His justice frees us from the burden of seeking revenge and allows us to focus on living a life of love and service. By releasing our desire for vengeance, we can experience the freedom and peace that comes from trusting God to handle the injustices we face. This trust enables us to live with a heart full of grace and forgiveness. [47:19]
Romans 12:19 (ESV): "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive and release to God's justice? How can you begin to let go of bitterness and embrace forgiveness today?
Day 5: Assurance of Salvation
God promises to keep us saved until we reach heaven. Our salvation is secure in His hands, and we can trust that He will complete the good work He began in us. This assurance allows us to live confidently, knowing that our future is secure in Him. By embracing this promise, we can focus on growing in our faith and serving others, knowing that our eternal destiny is secure. [01:02:54]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How does the assurance of your salvation impact the way you live your daily life? What steps can you take to grow in your faith and serve others with confidence?
Quotes
God knows everything that will happen. God knows everything that's gonna happen in your life already. He knows the beginning and the end. This is called the omniscience of God. It means God knows everything. There is nothing that God doesn't know. Now, in a practical sense what that means is this. God is never surprised. God never goes, "Wow, I didn't see that coming." [00:01:38]
God is not limited by time, God is timeless. You see, your concept and my concept of time happens to because we're on a planet that turns around every 24 hours and goes around the Sun every 365 days. If you were on a different planet, you would have a different concept of time and if you weren't on a planet at all, you'd have a totally different concept of time because you could be timeless. [00:02:53]
God's plan for my future is good. It's not a bad plan. In fact, God has no bad plans for people. God is a good god. And because God is a good god, all of his plans are good. He doesn't have any bad plans for you. All of his plans for you are good. [00:06:10]
You have to choose God's plan for your life, it's not automatic. You see, one of the greatest gifts but it's also a hindrance to us is the freedom to choose. God didn't wanna create a bunch of puppets. He could have made us where we don't have any choice. You couldn't choose to do bad, you couldn't choose to do other things but he made us in His image which means he gave us free will and every day you make choices. [00:08:19]
God promises to be with us every step of the way. In my future, I don't know what it's gonna be like and I know I can't control it but I do know this, God will be with me every step of the way. How do I know that? Because in the Bible, one of the most repeated promises of God is this, you're not gonna be alone. I will never leave you, I will never forsake you, I will never abandon you, I'm gonna be with you, my presence will be with you. [00:13:55]
Every fear is a misunderstanding of who God is and what he's promised. If you knew what God is really like and you knew what he's really promised, you wouldn't be afraid. You wouldn't be anxious about the future, you wouldn't be worried or nervous about what's gonna happen tomorrow. Because if you really knew who God is and what he's promised to do in your life, you wouldn't be afraid. [00:17:51]
God promises to guide me when I'm confused. One thing that you can predict about your future is that you're gonna have a lot of decisions to make. You got a lot of choices and some of those choices are difficult, some of them are even confusing. Do I take this job? Do I move to this city? Should I buy this house? Should I marry this girl? There are some big life-changing decisions, and a lot of times we can be confused about them. [00:18:46]
God promises to help me when I am tempted. Not only when I'm confused but he promises to help me when I am tempted. This is the second great promise about your future. God promises to help me when I'm tempted. Now another thing that's not gonna change in your future is you're gonna have the same old temptations. Hate to tell you that, hopefully you'll get better at resisting them but you're gonna have the same temptations the rest of your life. [00:22:28]
God promises to support me in trouble. He's gonna guide me when I'm confused, he's gonna help me when I'm tempted and he's gonna support me when I'm in trouble. Now what's the difference between temptation and trouble? Oh, a big difference. Temptation is inside me, trouble is outside me. Temptation is internal, trouble is external. Temptation has to do with my character, trouble has to do with my circumstances. [00:36:22]
God promises to repay those who hurt me. And he doesn't want you repaying 'em, he doesn't want you seeking retaliation, he says no, no, let me handle this. Have you noticed that the world seems to be getting meaner? More hateful, more rude, more uncivil, more unfair. Do you ever listen to the news or watch the news and you go, man that's just not fair. [00:42:45]
God promises to reward my service and generosity. Now part of God's plan and purpose for your life is he wants you to become like Jesus Christ. Jesus is the model of perfect humanity. God wants us to grow up like Christ. He wants us to think like Christ, to feel like Christ, to love like Christ, to serve like Christ, to be giving like Christ. [00:51:30]
God promises for my future to keep me saved until heaven. He's gonna keep me saved until I get to heaven. I don't have to keep myself saved, thank God. Because if it were up to me to keep myself saved, I'm in deep deep weeds. There's no way I can save myself. God says it's not up to you. Once you put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the waters, you may wanna let go but he's not gonna let go. [01:02:54]
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