Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/95

Contributor - Ron Sikkema

Title - Certainty of a Great Future

Topic - Future

"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. Then you will call to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

CAN you trust God for your future? Don't answer that question from your head but from your heart.

At the time these words were spoken by the Prophet, Israel as a nation was in despair. She was in exile with no home land, her centre of worship, Jerusalem was in ruins, she was powerless, helpless, and from all practical considerations, hopeless. They were in this condition because they had broken the covenant. They had trusted in tangible "gods" of prosperity and military strength. They had rebelled by depending on their own resources instead of seeking the LORD. They spent their time in financial and personal happiness planning rather than in prayer and seeking to know God.

I know that none of us individually or collectively as a church want to repeat Israel's fatal mistake, but it comes on us subtly. It happens when we forget to carry out the obligations of our most important covenant obligations, like regular attendance at worship, time to read the Bible with seeking to know the LORD as our goal, praying with the goal of allowing God to reorient our values and goals and choices.

But think of it for a moment. Would you trade a self-centred, self directed death to a God-seeking, God honouring eternal Life? That is the Covenant choice God asks us to make.

We need each other in this choice. Not only in the initial choice but in the choices we make in life along the way which either confirm that choice or threaten that choice.

I don't know about you, but left to myself, without accountability, structure and responsibility, my walk with God deteriorates. I find it helpful to be responsible to others to put into words what God reveals about Himself. I find it stimulating when I go to pray with others, God has graciously placed us in community with others - family, friends, and church so that the belonging to God and others is realized.

It is my prayer that everyone in the church will be in at least one setting besides public worship where sharing in prayer and seeking the revelation that takes place. I believe Cod meant it that way to keep us from privately embracing a lie for the truth and falling into the tragic downfall of the Covenant community of Israel.

If the church is not helping you to grow spiritually, it is time for the church to do some serious soul searching. If the church is providing the opportunity and you are not participating in spiritual growth, you had better do some soul searching.

A great future? It is absolutely certain when we seek God with all our hearts. Spiritual disciplines such as tithing, scripture study and memorization, regular attendance at worship, serving others are our joyful response to God's great grace.

The future will be greater than anything in the past. God says so when we seek Him with all our hearts. Make this year one of growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and being equipped to serve where He leads.

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