by Helen Lescheid
“I (myself) will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them; and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)
When walking into the unknown nothing gives me more comfort than knowing that God is in control. A loving, kind Father who knows the future as well as he knows the past and the present, is orchestrating the events in my life.
That does not mean my life will be easy or pain free. In comfort – loving America we think that if God loves me then he’ll protect me from trouble. But this is not what the Bible teaches. “In this world you will have trouble,” Jesus said. “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 15:33).
What has Jesus promised us for the future? His presence, his power, and his peace.
His presence: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18).
His power: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing, “Jesus said. And John added, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5).
His peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Are you filled with apprehension over the future? We do not know what the future holds but we know Who holds the future, and that makes all the difference.
That which the LORD intends for you nothing can keep from you, his beloved. Then don’t be afraid.
He knows and He controls each circumstance. Nothing that affects you escapes his glance. He loves you and His plan for you is higher than the farthest reaches of your own desire. Then rest and watch with wondering each day the means by which he opens up the way.
~Thank you, Father, that “Those who hope in You will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23).
About the Author
This devotional was written by Helen Lescheid. Learn more about Helen: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/helen-lescheid/
Going Deeper
Consider these questions: What has Jesus promised us for the future? Why are we so often filled with apprehension over the future?
Chat: Join us for a 15-minute chat at 10:30 am Eastern, 7:30 am Pacific: http://www.christianwomentoday.com/chat
Related reading
My search for peace: http://retirementwithapurpose.com/lifestories/evareinhart.html
Connecting Through Technology
Do you use technology to stay in touch with family and friends?
>Watch
What wonderful promises Jesus has given us if we will only
believe and let Him guide our lives. Being a “control freak” has been a strong block to living with expectation each day of God’s gift in the past, but with discipline and God’s help I am overcoming my perfectionism. Thank you, Lord, for being so patient with me over the years and loving me anyway. Annie
Sometimes it’s easy for me to forget that God is not just watching what goes on in my life…He is in control of my life. He walks beside me, He walks before me, He watches over me. He knows my past, present, and future…yet He doesn’t hold my past mistakes against me. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Thank you Jesus for being Lord of my life, and for not only forgiving me of my many sins, but for always looking toward my future. Thanks you for going through this life with me. Amen
(I also noticed there was a mis-print of a refrence, I believe it was John 16:33, not John 15:33) Thank you.
If we really understand who God is it we help us alot as a christian in a day to day activities and know that not how difficult or how hopless a situation may look God is in control. He make us understand in bk of Jeremaiah 29:11 “That the thought He have for us is a tought of peace that He may give us our espected end, so with this scripture in our mind we have control of every situation because we know that all things worketh together for good to them that love God.
I just thank God is faithfulness in my life and my family.
Bola
Father, Thank you that even when trouble comes and the future looks bleak…you have said “Do not be afraid.”
I love you Lord.
Even though I got no sleep last night, I know GOD had a reason for it. HE may not let me know right away the whys and wherefores, but he does know.
I thank GOD everyday for being there for me and for forgiving my sins.
Bola
Even though I have in challenges now I that God has a plan for me and He is not through with me yet. I thank God every seconds for being there for me and for paying the price for my redemption.
THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR WORD AND YOUR PROMISES, I LOVE YOU!!
I love this devotional! I will be retiring this month and I see this as a retirement letter from Jesus. He is so good !
Why would a person believe that God is in control of each circumstance, of course he could be if he chose, but as far as my life he has chosen not to be, and a hard lesson I have learned is not to believe how God deals in one persom’s circumstances he will deal the same with your’s God is faithful but sometimes he is silent, I know there is a reason and in the end all will work out but the road can be extremely painful and lonely, What do you do when you can’t be comforted? I am Waiting on God.
Jesus promised us His Pesence, His Power and His Peace. What more could we ask for. He is with us always living in our hearts. His power is the Holy Spirit that keeps us on track and gives us the power to overcome. His Peace is in our hearts and our minds and keeps us from going crazy in this terrible sinful world we are living in. I trust God in every situation because I know He will never leave me nor forsake me and no matter how bad it may be today, tomorrow is another day. Jesus never promises a smooth journey, but He does promise to go with us all the way. I’ve read the end of the bible and I know what the future holds for me so despite all the pain & suffering I endure here on earth, some day it will be worth it all WHEN I SEE JESUS.
This devotinal really spoke to me this morning.
I have let the Lord lead every part of my life, for I know he has a plan for me and my life. I don,t worry anymore about the future for I know God is in control.
Thank you Lord for all the wonderful blessing you have given me!
Dear Daphne,
I really felt for you and I can understand what you are going through, but may I let you know that GOD does not leave you or forsake you, your situation may make you think that God has forgotten about but I can give you 100% assurance that GOD has never and HE can never forget you. Don’t ever belief the lie of the devil that GOD has forgotten about you. Hold on to his word and his promises concerning your life HE will surely see you through. Remember what he said in the bible that there is no temptation that come up that is not common to men, remember what apostle Paul said what shall seperate us from the love of Christ shal tribulation or what no that in all these we are more than conqueror through Christ Jesus that love us and died for us.
Remain bless.
Bola
DAPHNE,
There is a time in our walk that God is silent, not because He is far from us but some time we are far from him and we dont even know it until we get to that place that we realize God is being silent ( my own live and experiance )
The word of God says Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord. Let us open our hearts to God in heaven and pray. Lamentation 3:40-41
We have to be obedice to the word of God and be do it and live it so that God can work in our lives, I have been doing a bible study on my own its a book called Becoming a woman of prayer, by Cynthia Heald.
I have learned that there is a kind of prayer that God will not listen to.
1) If you have unforgiveness in your heart Mathew 23:24
2) If I ignore the cry of the poor Provebers 21:13
3) Ignore my sins. Spalm 66:16
4) If I dont obey His commends Proverbs 28:9
5) Follow idols Ezekil 14:3
6) If I have jelousy in my heart Ezekil 4:1-3
7) If I have an undecided mind James 1:8
Please dont forget that there are some things we need to go threw to bring glory to God , To change our charictor. To humble us. To bilt our faith. All for God’s name sake.
Do not forget Jhon 16:33 I HAVE TOLD YOU THIS SO THAT YOU WILL HAVE PEACE BY BEING UNITED TO ME. ( remain in me,) tHE WORLD WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER. ( have tribulations, trobles, dificulties, hard times,sorrows) BUT BE BRAVE(courages, good cheer, at peace, ). I HAVE DEFEATED ( overcome, conquered ) THE WORLD.
Father I come boldly to your throne in the name of Jesus, I ask Lord that your Holly Spirit will fill Daphne’s mind and push back every lie, deceiving thought and anything that the enemy has planted in her mind that is not of you, Fill her mind with your love, joy and peace. give her a hunger for your word and your truth for your truth shall set her free. I ask in the name of Jesus Amen.
Daphne, I want you to know god knows the plan he has for us. He also says those who suffer in him reigns in him. I too, have gone through so many painful events in my life and I couldn’t understand them. the only thing I could hold on to is his word, being faithful and committed to my church and having a strong thermal of praying women around me. This walk is a process and many things we don’t understand we just have to trust him and he will see us through all the time. The wonderful thing about the Lord he gives us seasons. There was always a season of going through and a season of restoration and a season of blessings and so forth. I do beleve the thing that really got me over every hurdle and web of pain was I was taught early in my salvation how to go to the throne of grace for myself. I learned early prayer is the key and the answer to every problem. Many times the problem didn’t get solved, but it surely fortified me for the situation. I am now 60 years old and all the puzzle pieces are fitting together now in my life. the Lord needed a witness, one who he trust would not abort the test or trial. I went through the fire and came out as pure gold. I thank him today for everything I had to go through because I am over a women’s group and the mother of my church and all the life hits and experiences have been a testimony and an anchor for someone else’s life. Be encouraged honey and go through with a right attiude and know that God is with you and he will never forsake you. He doesn’t put on us any more than what we can bear. Check your attitude and know there is a crown some where waiting for you. He knows what is best for us and it will all have meaning to you after while. I will keep you in my prayers. Ann Davis