Our Family Time With God

Sept. 29, 2009

WE KNOW WHO

HOLDS THE FUTURE

Scripture Reading--Psalms 78:1-8

Earlier this week, we read, "We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future." What a wonderful encouragement that truth is! In Psalm 78:7, we discover that one of the most important values we will ever pass on to our children and grandchildren is "That they might set their hope in God." If we can successfully teach them to hope in God, we have given them something priceless. We've given them what they need to face the future.

Some years ago, Stuart Hamblen wrote a great song about facing the future. The chorus goes like this:

Known only to Him, are the great hidden secrets;

I'll fear not the darkness when my flame shall dim;

I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future,

It's a secret known only to him.

Yes, the future holds many secrets we cannot know until we get there. But we need not fear the darkness. Remember what Adoniram Judson said. "Our future is as bright as the promises of God!" Don't get caught sitting on the premises or leaning over the precipice when you should be standing on the promises!

The best way to communicate confidence in God to the next generation is to live it before them every day. No one watches us more closely than our family members. They want to see if we will face life's uncertainties with confidence. If they see us in despair, their hope will be diminished. But if they observe that our hope is in God, they'll know where to find hope for their future.

The greatest test of our confidence is when we've exhausted every human resource. That's when God's at His best. Remember, He's not our last hope; He's our only hope!

ASSIGNMENT: Choose Bible verses that give hope to your family as they face the future.

--Jack Palmer--