¹¹For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Those words were written in a time when the future looked hopeless for Israel.  They are words for when our futures may seem hopeless as well.  God's plans for us are always for our good, even when disaster is breaking in all around us.  God's future is always filled with hope, because His future is sure and eternal!

On this cold, January morning in western Pennsylvania, I'm grateful for God's promise of both a future AND a hope.  A future without hope isn't much of a future, and hope that doesn't picture the future isn't much help when we think about living 70, 80, 90 or more years on this planet---before spending eternity somewhere.  As I wake up each morning, with the assurance that God holds my future, and that ultimate victory is mine through Jesus Christ, it makes the challenges ahead seem easier, the pain ahead seem bearable, the feelings of meaningless that sometimes seek to invade each of our lives exactly what they are--feelings, which don't impact reality nearly as much as most of us typically think they do.   I'm glad I've moved past living my life based on feelings most of the time, to the point of living by faith most of the time.  Back when I was a teenager, Andy Weigand shared the "train of faith" illustration with me, and it has become more and more helpful with the passing years.  He compared the three aspects of our life of faith to the "engine",  "coal car," and "caboose" of a train.  The three aspects are faith, fact and feelings.  While many live their lives with feelings as the "engine," the life of faith in Jesus starts with faith.  Faith is the "engine."  Facts are the "coal car," which provide "fuel" for our faith, since we have so many facts to back up the claims of our faith.  Our feelings are the "caboose" of the train.  They come along for the ride. They can enhance the comfort of the ride--when they are "good," but they don't provide energy for the trip, and they certainly don't pull their weight. 

When we live by faith first, letting faith be the "engine" that drives and pulls us we can see our future with hope, because we live in the security of God's love, presence and truth in our lives.  That means even when we don't feel God's presence, maybe especially when we don't feel God's presence, He is with us, leading and guiding our future, and moving us to hope in His ultimate victory in our lives through Jesus.

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for the reality that we have a future and hope in You that is not based on today's feelings!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live boldly, confidently, and securely in You.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.