by J. Randal Matheny

A friend in the U.S. wrote last week and mentioned how people are worried, with the high terrorist alert. And in his city, crime is up.

It's another variation on the theme, what does the future hold? Looking at it from "under the sun," nobody knows anything, the main thing is to stay alive, it's all in God's hands, and you can't even be sure of him (Eccl. 9:1-6).

Put God back in the picture, though, and the whole scene brightens. The righteous one says, with full trust, "My future is in your hands" (Ps. 31:15, NLT). Why is that?

1. The future is certain.

We worry with how and when we will die, with jobs and marriages or the lack of them. These are mere details. We know what is important to know, that is, no future threat can overcome the saving power of Christ (Eph. 1:20-21), and no future force can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:37-39).

If I am guaranteed his power on the one hand and his love on the other, I am set for life. And beyond.

2. The future is yours.

Paul wrote to Corinthian Christians who were divying up a spiritual pie, when all of them could have all of it. "For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or THE FUTURE -- all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's" (1 Cor. 3:21b-23, ESV).

What does it mean for the future to be ours? Paul's terms of the world, life, death, things present or things to come "are all the great powers that govern the life of man and before which he feels his smallness and dependence."/1 Gordon Fee called them the "tyrannies of existence," but for the Christian they become "gifts of God to assist and to enrich them, they constitute positive forces for good ..."/2

3. The future is close.

What does the near future hold? First, the end of all things is at hand or "nears" (1 Pet. 4:7). Some who want to push back the end say this doesn't mean the end of the world, but Peter puts "all things" (Greek, "panton") up front, in an emphatic position. There is nothing in the text to indicate that "all things" does not mean, literally, all things.

If we take "all things" as the final end of the world, was Peter then wrong when he wrote, as some allege? No, for as long as the world may stand, there is nothing in God's plan of redemption that must occur before the coming of Christ. The way is clear for his return.

Second, the nearing future means the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jas. 5:7-9). The same word in 1 Peter 4:7 is used in James 5:8 to speak of the end: "the coming of the Lord is at hand." For his coming, James says, Christians must be patient. They want the end to come NOW! For it means salvation and vindication of all who believe. In the growing light of the glory's arrival, they work for the spiritual harvest (v. 7).

Third, the nearing future means the judgment of all men. The angel tells John, "the time is near" (Rev. 22:10). Jesus himself says, "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done" (Rev. 22:12). His judgment will separate each one from what he is doing now (v. 11) to the place that has been prepared for him (v. 13).

Conclusion

Some look to the new year and the future with dread and fear. The Christian, however, sees it as providing opportunity to serve the Lord, preach the Good News, and bring him one step closer to eternity's gate. Because he belongs to Christ, and Christ to God, who holds the future in his hands.

1/ F. W. Grosheide, Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians, NIC, p. 95. 2/ A. C. Thistelton, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, NIGTC (Eerdmans, 2000), p. 326-327.

by Bobby Dockery

One of the most disheartening human experiences is loneliness — the empty feeling of being cut off and isolated from other people. The greatest loneliness, however, is not that of a person who is separated and isolated from other human beings. The greatest loneliness of all is loneliness of the soul — the spiritual isolation of a person who is separated from God!

Sadly, spiritual loneliness is a common condition in our world. Far too many people feel cut off and remote from God. For them God seems unapproachable, withdrawn, and unconcerned. They feel isolated from Him primarily because they have failed to take advantage of the following ways in which God seeks to maintain vibrant fellowship with His people.

Bible Study. The Bible is a divinely authored account of God’s dealings with men and women of the past, as well as an authentic record of His will for men and women today. It claims to have been inspired or "breathed-out" by God (2 Tim. 3:16). In a very real sense, then, the Bible is God speaking to man. Spiritual strength, comfort, and hope are available in the Word of God. Peter urges us to develop an appetite for the sincere milk of the Word as a prerequisite to spiritual health and fulfillment (1 Pet. 2:2)

Prayer. Prayer is the spiritual life-line which binds the Christian to God. Prayer is a reservoir of spiritual strength. It literally ushers the Christian into the presence of God. The tragedy of spiritual loneliness is that it is so unnecessary! We need only to speak to be heard! Jesus taught: "Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7).

Worship. Worship offers a third bridge between God and man. In worship, humanity calls upon divinity, and God draws near to man. Jesus promised: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). Assembling with like-minded Christians for the purpose of praising God and celebrating His power and goodness is an act of fellowship which dispels spiritual loneliness.

When you feel isolated and alone, seek the presence of God! "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you" (Jms. 4:8). And remember that God has promised to those that come to Him: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5).

by Michael E. Brooks

"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.' …And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men'" (Lk. 2:10,13,14).

When one is traveling in distant places, few things are as welcome as good news from home. No news has ever equaled the "good tidings of great joy" brought that night in Palestine so many years ago. The angels were the first proclaimers of the gospel in what is now known as New Testament times, and their proclamation included the essential elements of the message God had purposed from the very beginning.

The news of Jesus is a message of great joy. There is much misery and sorrow in this world. War, disease, poverty, and death fill our consciousness and shape our lives. Yet we are not doomed to unhappiness. God loves us and desires to redeem us from the evil that has overtaken the world. Christians rejoice, for Christ has come.

The news of Jesus is a universal message. The message of joy is to be for all people. No one is excluded on the basis of race, color, social status, wealth, or age. Christ has come for all. Paul states, "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Rom. 10:13). There are no exceptions.

The news of Jesus is a message of peace. He is the means of reconciliation of man to God, man to man, and man to self. Through Jesus we find "the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding" (Phil. 4:7). In this world of constant war, terrorism, and crime, peace is the goal we all strive for. In Christ we find it.

The news of Jesus is a message of Divine Glory. He is God's act of redemption. Man did not compel him to descend to the earth. Man did not earn God's love. Jesus is the gift of grace, showing God's infinite love, wisdom and justice. Because of the good news of Jesus we praise God and bring eternal glory to his name.

by Mike Benson

While I'm not what you might call a fan of Dear Abby, occasionally I do come across one of her letters in the newspaper that really makes an impression on me. About this time several years ago such a letter was published that I've not since forgotten, and with your indulgence, permit me to share a few excerpts. The letter was written by a 91-year-old grandmother. Consider what she had to say:

"For Christmas, I don't want another crystal bud vase; I have four under my kitchen sink ... I don't want a sausage and cheese tray; that's too much cholesterol ... I don't want another music box to find a place for -- I have too many now. I don't want a silk nightgown, perfumed soap, a fancy bed jacket, dusting powder or a bird feeder.

What DO I want ...? I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME A FEW HOURS. Take me and my cumbersome wheelchair to the mall so I can see the lights and hear the music. I would also like to be driven around town to see the Christmas decorations ...

I WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE A VISIT FROM YOU AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY MY GRANDCHILDREN who call and say, 'Hi Grandma. How are you? I love you. Gotta go. See you later. Bye!'" (Dear Abby, "What the Elderly Want for Christmas," The Jackson Sun, Nov. 2, 1994).