I awoke with a start, my heart racing. The future stretched before me, vast and terrifying in its uncertainty.
What trials lay ahead? Would I have enough? Would my family be okay? As I lay there, anxious thoughts cascading through my mind, I felt utterly alone.
Then I remembered the 23rd Psalm. I began reciting the ancient words that have comforted believers for millennia.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…”
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As these words washed over me, the racing of my heart slowed. I pictured a shepherd, staff in hand, guiding his sheep through green pastures and still waters.
This shepherd knew every one of his flock by name (John 10:3). He would not let them wander astray.
At that moment, the uncertainty did not vanish, but hope flooded in. My shepherd walked with me into the future.
As long as I followed Him, I would not fear, for His goodness and love would follow me all my days (Psalm 23:6).
This shepherd laid down his life for me – how could I ever be alone? The 23rd Psalm whispers to all who will listen: you never need to fear the future.
Here are three powerful reasons why you don’t have to fear the future.
1. God’s Goodness is Watching Over You
God is paying very close attention to every detail of your life because He is good.
Psalm 139 tells us that God formed us in the womb and planned out all our days. He knows us better than we know ourselves!
Not a second goes by that the God who created the universe isn’t watching over you.
Why does He pay such close attention? Because He is a good God who created you to love you.
Isaiah 63:15 (ESV) says:
“Look upon us from heaven, where you live in your holiness and glory.”
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God’s complete goodness resides in heaven, unhindered. He can focus the fullness of His love and care on you at all times.
God doesn’t just watch from a distance either. He actively protects you from harm in ways you can’t even comprehend.
Psalm 91:11 (NLT) promises:
“He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”
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There are likely many potential accidents and disasters you’ve been shielded from without even realizing it. God’s goodness keeps dangers far from you.
When something bad does happen, God uses His goodness to bring blessing out of it.
Romans 8:28 (TLB) says:
“We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.”
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God specializes in bringing good out of bad situations. You may not understand how at first, but His goodness ensures everything works for good eventually if you walk with Him.
2. God’s Grace is Working in You
Not only is God’s protective goodness watching over you, but His mercy and grace are working inside you each day.
Psalm 23:6 (ESV) says:
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
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What is mercy? It’s grace in action. God doesn’t give us the punishment we rightfully deserve for our sins and shortcomings.
His forgiveness follows us wherever we go. Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) says:
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
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No matter how many times you mess up (and we all do!), God is quick to show mercy.
Living with gratitude for God’s grace will help you to stay focused on Him rather than your fears.
1 John 4:18 (CSB) says:
“There is no fear in love. Instead, perfect love drives out fear.”
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Regularly thanking God for His mercy invites His love to wash over your anxieties and replace them with peace.
Grace will also empower you to show mercy to others. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) tells us:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
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When you realize how much you’ve been forgiven it’s easier to forgive others. Extending grace is an antidote to fear.
3. God’s Glory is Waiting for You
Not only is God’s goodness watching over us and His grace working inside, but His glory is waiting for us in eternity.
“I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
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For Christians, death is not something to be feared because it ushers us into God’s presence where we’ll share in His glory.
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) assures us:
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
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Any trials we face on earth are brief before the eternal glory to come.
What will this glory be like? We can only catch glimpses now. But Revelation 21:4 (NIV) describes heaven as a place where:
“He (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
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All the goodness, love, joy, and peace you experience on earth is merely a small taste of the infinite blessings to come in heaven.
While we don’t know every detail about heaven, we do know the God whose goodness, grace, and glory resides there fully invites us to dwell with Him forever.
There is no greater hope to dispel all fear.
Key Takeaways
- God is always watching over you because He is good and loves you.
- God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness follow you daily and save you from deserved punishment.
- Heaven allows us to share in God’s glory for eternity which is our ultimate hope.
- Staying focused on God’s goodness, grace and glory helps replace anxiety about the future with confident hope.
- Making Jesus your shepherd means trusting He will care for you perfectly in life, death, and forever.
Conclusion
The future may feel uncertain, but we walk into it hand in hand with a good Shepherd.
He expertly guides our steps, protects us from harm, forgives our stumbles, and leads us home to glory.
What more could we possibly need to face the future unafraid? Keep your eyes on the Shepherd who loves you so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I still feel anxious about the future?
A. It’s completely normal to still struggle with fear at times. Thankfully, we have a God who is greater than our fears!
Continually rehearse the truths above about God’s presence and care for you. The more you meditate on His goodness, the more peace will grow.
Surround yourself with an encouraging Christian community and soak in God’s Word.
Q. Why do bad things happen if God is good?
A. This question has challenged believers for centuries. God’s ways are higher than ours and He sometimes allows difficult situations for purposes we can’t yet grasp.
We live in a fallen world corrupted by sin. But Romans 8:28 promises God works even painful things for our eventual good if we love Him.
We trust His wisdom and take comfort that any suffering here is brief before His eternity of glory.
Q. How do I make Jesus my shepherd?
A. It’s a simple but life-changing decision. You admit you need Him, ask Him to forgive your sins, and commit to following Him each day as best you can.
There are no special words required – simply pray from the heart. Trust that He accepts you as His precious child.
Talk to a pastor if you need guidance. But don’t let fear hold you back from receiving the love and security only Jesus provides.
Pray this prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
