A Bright Future
Psalm 34:18 (NIV) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
As I was praying about writing this devotion, I asked God how can I share about moving forward in this new year? How can I tell people to leave the past behind and see the bright future the Lord holds when so many have lost loved ones or gone through other horrendous pain in 2019? How can I help you through all the various circumstances and emotions that many of you are experiencing? I heard the Lord say, “You can't, but I can!”
Jesus has felt your pain and He's been through some horrific things, greater pain than we could ever imagine. You can't heal anyone and neither can I, but all we can do is shine the light of Jesus in the midst of the darkness they are experiencing and reveal that there's a way of escape from their pain.
How do you see the love, mercy and goodness of God in the midst of your agony? You must begin to allow Him into those areas by sharing your heart with Him and asking Him to reveal Himself in the midst of it. You have a healer with arms wide open waiting to comfort, hold and let you know you do have a blessed future ahead. No we can't change the past, nor the pain or regret that it may hold and we can't bring back those we’ve lost, but He does want to love you through it and bring you to the other side with victory and a testimony so that all you've been through will not only make you stronger, but help deliver others and bring light into their darkness. He loves you and you do have a bright future ahead.
Deuteronomy 31:6,8 (NIV) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 46:1 (KJV) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV) It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Psalm 30:5 (NLT) …Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
John 14:16-18 (KJV) And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
