2008 came and is on the verge of going into the shadows. As we look back at this year we ask how did we do? Are we happy with the things that took place last year? Did we leave some things undone? Are there more things that we can accomplish? Do we have a plan for the new year? What is important to us this new year? Will it bring joys or will it bring sorrow?

We have an awesome God who wants the best for us. Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. The people were in exile and through Jeremiah God wrote the following words, “For thus says the Lord, `When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back into this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, `plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:10,11)

Because of Judah’s disobedience God allowed them to be carried off to Babylon and suffer many things. But His plan involved bringing the remnant back after seventy years. And notice when they came back God had plans for them. His plans were not for calamity but for their welfare. His plan was to give them a “future and a hope.”

What lies in your future? I do not have a crystal ball to see into the future but I do have the good news of Jesus Christ. I know that in every persons life He desires we have a future with Him. You see, a future in only worldly matters means nothing. We can gain the world, but still lose our souls (Matt. 16:26). God has a spiritual future for each of us.

He also was giving the children of Israel hope. They would be captives for 70 years before they would gain their freedom to go back to their homeland. Can you imagine what this letter did to the captives. Can you imagine the burning they must have had in their souls to know there was hope—something to look forward to.

We have hope. But we have this hope as we live for our Master. If we hope for things in this life we will be disappointed. But we will never be disappointed if we hope in God. Where is your future headed? What do you hope for?