Daily Devotional Details

Date

Rejoice in hope. Romans 12:12

There are lots of people with plans. “Here is what I want to do,” they say. “I am moving to this or that city. I am going to this college, and I am going to pursue this career. We are going to get married. We are going to have children. We are going to plant a church. We would like to send out ten pastors, church planters, and missionaries every year.”

It is good to have plans. But remember, when you plan for the future, you don’t even know if you will be here. James says, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (4:14). Everything we hope to do in life depends on God’s grace and God’s strength, so “instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” (4:15).

The short life we have in this world is very uncertain. God calls us to travel a winding path. We walk by faith, not by sight. None of us can see what is around the next corner. It may be a great trial, and it may be a great joy.

None of us knows for sure what will happen tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. You don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but you do know the final outcome of your life. So you can rejoice in long-term security, your blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of your great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Tit. 2:13).

Reflect on how you are talking about your plans. What does this tell you about where your hope lies?