Daily Encouragement Net (Print Version)

“Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

"Another Perspective"

"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" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Periodically we refer to our Amish neighbors, Jesse and Anna Ruth, a young couple with two little children. Last night they asked me to give them a ride back home from his parents, who live on a dairy farm in the eastern part of the county about 25 miles away. I drove over after our Bible Study to pick them up. The farm is at the end of a long lane that simply takes you back to another era. Jesse came out to greet me and welcomed me into the house to meet his parents.

I went in and the family was visiting around the kitchen table with a gas lamp providing the light. We visited for a few minutes and they shared about their family and their six children. I asked how many of them lived in Lancaster County and Jesse's Mom said "all of them but Jesse who lives in Mount Joy." Now you need to understand why this response is so interesting. Actually Mount Joy is in Lancaster County but from the perspective of folks who travel by horse and buggy it's as if Jesse lived in another state!

The perspective most of us are familiar with is quite different. I have a brother that lives about 100 miles away and that's close to me (as close as we have ever lived as adults). I'm from Missouri and I have another brother in California and my sister lives in Miami.

However there's another perspective that is similar to the limited perception of my Amish friends. That's the eternal, spiritual, heavenly perspective. In fact I believe our perspective in regard to this is even more limited.

Today's powerful verse comes from the text of a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon shortly after they were taken captive. Jeremiah was assuring them that God had not abandoned them and would fulfill His gracious promise. The initial, literal fulfillment came at the time of Cyrus, when the remnant returned and resettled in the land of Canaan.

However, based upon the unchanging character of God this is a great promise that we also can accept and rejoice in today. The entire verse is a great promise to all believers of the glorious future that God has planned for us. I believe we can understand this promise from this point onward in our lives. God has a wonderful plan for the remainder of our lives on this earth, our temporal future. Jesus called this "abundant life."

But the best part is that other perspective, our eternal future. I am convinced that the greatest experiences of this life will not even compare to the future in heaven God has planned for us! The apostle Paul said it so powerfully: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

We have no idea the great and mighty things God has planned for us who truly love Him. We only see the smaller picture. He sees our labor of ministry far beyond what we see through the maze of life in the temporary now. If we saw the big picture such as our heavenly Father does, we would look upon the lovely tapestry of life with perpetual rejoicing. Smile and remember today that our God is an awesome God!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's note: I think about our readers today who often write to us about their ongoing spiritual and physical battles they face from day to day, some lasting year after year. I find encouragement and great consolation in the Daily Encouragement verse from Jeremiah 29:11. It was in the midst of uncertainty and seeming defeat that Jeremiah has a word from the Lord that He would prosper them and give them hope and a future. Are you experiencing that promise in your life today? Perhaps your focus is only on the temporary situations that are based upon the here and now. Thank God His hope is an eternal hope that is secure for the present and for the future. It does not change based upon the present circumstance we face, so we do well to fix our attitudes and actions upon this hope from God. You're certain to have a refreshing and uplifting day if you make this your goal!

PS: This Sunday we are going to a local assisted living home to provide a service for the residents and Jesse and Anna want to join us. They will actually pick us up in their horse and buggy and we will "drive" over together. Now that will sure be a new experience for this 50 year old!

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: “I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God’s Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life’s goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity.”

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