Today’s Scripture Reading (July 28,
2013): Psalm 119:1-48
We
seem to be a culture that is addicted to trying to know the future. Maybe it
has always been that way, but we seem to need to know what it is that is about
to happen. We are also a culture that is suffering from untold anxiety
disorders. And it is quite possible that these two things are intimately
connected. Because of our anxiety, we think that we need to know what it is
that will happen - because if we know what it was that the future holds, then maybe
we can prepare for that future that is standing in front of us.
But
there is a problem. No matter where it is that we find the prophecies that we
seek, they tend to be ambiguous. The reality about all prophecy is that no
matter whether we are getting our prophecy from the Bible, or more popular
sources like Nostradamus - the prophecy always seems to be clearer after the
events have happened then they are beforehand. We usually recognize the truth
of the prophecy only after the events have already become a reality.
It
is one of the reasons why I question the value of Bible Studies on prophetic
subjects. I admit that as entertainment this kind of study can be fun. I enjoy
the argument and the discussion around prophetic ideas. But such discussions
should come with a tag line that says “for entertainment purposes only.” The
problem is that sometimes we come into these discussions thinking that somehow
we can know the minute details of what is about to happen, and because it is
the bible that we are reading, that future knowledge is filled with truth – and
that just is not true. The best anyone can do is to be observant of the times
and have a basic knowledge of what God says that he will accomplish. But beyond
that we just don’t know – and moreover, from a biblical standpoint, we are not
supposed to know the small details of what the future holds – we are just
supposed to know that whatever it is that our future holds – God holds that
future.
The
bible supports the Psalmist – when we suffer from anxiety, we are not to seek
answers in the knowledge of the future; rather we are to seek after the heart
of God. If we know God’s heart we will realize that there is nothing in the
future that can touch us. The truth is that we are at the core of God’s heart,
and his commands will lead us into the best of possible futures – not just for
us, but for the world. We can be assured that the future belongs to God – and
he is capable of handling everything that the future – and more specifically
our future – might hold.
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