“Don’t envy evil men but continue to reverence the Lord all the time, for surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you. There is hope for you yet.” Proverbs 23:17-18. TLB.

Gaze at 2020 and claim God’s future in a new way.

Ronald Reagan, an American President said this, “while I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future.” How do you live for the future and what is the basis of a successful future. Where can you get it? Is there any secret for future hope? It is the right time to think through it all as we stand ready to cross over to 2020- a brand new year on the horizon.

Our insight says this, “surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you.” However, did you notice the prior sentence? It says, “Don’t envy evil men but continue to reverence the Lord all the time.” Beloved, we live in a culture that does not give reverence to the living God. There start all hopelessness and depravity in life. People use their fists against all-powerful yet loving God. They scorn those who fear and honor God. In contrast to the commotion around you, I would give you the secret to success in 2020- you continue to reverence the Lord all the time. As you honor God, the outcome would be a wonderful and blessed future ahead of you. There is hope for you yet if you would keep it your heart.

Beloved, NIV translates, “Your hope will not be cut off.” When the people who rage against the living and loving God end up in hopelessness and bitter darkness, you see, your hope is anchored in Him who is your helper, savior, and deliverer. They will be cut off and your future is bright like the sun shining at its best.

You see we can place our hope on many things, don’t we? Friends, spouse, children, wealth, career and the list goes on. Of course, we need all of the above. Those are all good. However, do not place your ultimate hope in them. Put your hope in God who can help and deliver you. Bible says in Psalm 25:3, “No one who hopes in you (the Lord) will ever be put to shame.” Romans 10:11 says, “anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” Isaiah 49:23 says, “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who put their hope in me will not be put to shame.” Bible says, those who put their hope in chariots and horses are brought to their knees and fell, however, those who hope in God rose up and stood firm. (Psalm 20:7-8)

As you stand close to a brand new year, decide you would honor God and place your hope in the Lord God. Believe God will give you a future. He will guide you every day of this new year. Start the day with prayer and end the day with thanksgiving. Fear him and have high honor for Him.

Remember who put their hope in the Lord in the past and how He rewarded them beyond their wildest imaginations. Think about Joseph who was the victim of jealousy and cruelty from his brothers. Because He put hope in the Lord in painful circumstances, God raised him to be the Prime Minister of the world empire in his days. How about David? Who thought that little shepherd boy would become one day the greatest king of the nation Israel. He placed his hope in the Lord continuously, didn’t he? How about Abraham who came out of the idol worship system and placed hope in the living Lord who called him? When we look back on Abraham today, what a great blessing and future the Lord gave to him? How about Daniel, a young boy who made up his mind to place his trust and hope in the Lord. God raised him to number two position in Babylon. He became the greatest prophet who revealed the secrets of God for the future of the whole world.

Beloved, where would you place your hope in 2020? In your ability, strength, beauty, wealth, money, resources, career and relationships or you would say I am going to place my hope in the Lord. If so, you made the right choice and the Lord would grant you a future you ever imagined- future heaven made and God-crafted for you.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” You are going to soar high like eagles. You would run but not grow weary. You would walk and would not faint. The reason is you placed your hope in God.

Listen, Beloved, God is the God of all grace. How do we know that? Because of His amazing love and grace, he calls you to his eternal glory in Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 5:10). Your bright future and eternal/never-ending glory with Him is available only in one place -in the person and work of Jesus Christ. You see your hope is not just for now and here. Your hope is for now and for all eternity. All your bright future now and later is bound in a person called Jesus Christ.

Would you accept God’s call to share His eternal glory that is available in His Son, Jesus Christ? What a great way to begin the unknown future, as you get ready to step into 2020? Your future is secured now while you live on this planet earth and later when you face death.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, as I stand and gaze at new 2020, I accept your call to share your eternal glory in Jesus Christ. I believe all my bright and blessed future is found in your Son, Jesus. I accept him as my savior and Lord. Hold my hand and lead me into 2020 with your grace, love, and blessings. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”