Back to the Future

by Tim Howard

Back in 1996 a television program aired called – ‘Early Edition.’ The main character would somehow receive a Newspaper – delivered to his house that would give him tomorrow’s news.

What would you do if you had an inside track on tomorrow’s news?

If you were a gambler you might be tempted to bet on a few football games and make a killing or possibly you would use the information to help someone in trouble. Whether it is for selfish gain or selfless benevolence, that knowledge would be used!

Everyone has a desire to know some things about the future.

Will my newborn be a girl or a boy? I want to plan ahead. Back in my day, you didn’t have that ability. You had to wait till delivery day. Would you want to know the specific day you will die, whom you will marry or whether or not a business opportunity will succeed? The list of things could be endless.

Everyone has a reaction to the future. In Luke 2, Mary became afraid when she was told about her future. In John 21, Peter didn’t’ like what Jesus revealed and wanted to change it. Gideon had a lot of questions and doubts and I’m sure the future causes you to experience a variety of responses and reactions.

Many in our culture seem obsessed with the future. They peer into crystal balls, read tea leaves, research horoscopes or go to someone who claims to be gifted with the ability to see the future.

Solomon, however, says: “Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?" Ecclesiastes 8:7, The only correct answer is God! If you want to know about the future, you have to go back to God’s Word.

Here are 3 things God says you should not do in regards to your future:

1.  "Don’t presume about tomorrow!

James 4:13-14 “Now listen, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen.”

2.  "Don’t panic about tomorrow!

" Jesus says: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matt 6:34). Even though things are beyond your control, they are not out of His control.

3 "Don’t procrastinate until tomorrow."

Solomon said: "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done." You haven’t been guaranteed tomorrow – only today. I read this poem last week: "Procrastination is my sin. It only brings me sorrow. I know I ought to change my life. And I will – tomorrow”.

Here are 3 things God says you should do in regards to your future:

1.  Stay close to God. He’s the only one who knows the future and the only one who can lead you to victory.

2. Get ready for the future by obeying God. He will use your obedience as His pen to write your future – Your future hasn’t been written yet.

3. Trust God and step out in faith. Prov. 3:5-7  “Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’S voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.

Run to GOD! Run from evil! This will give you a bright future…

Do I need to be afraid of what’s ahead? Not if I know God and go back to His Word and discover His future for me!