THERE IS A HEREAFTER

“For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18

REFERENCE:

PROVERBS 23:15-18

Have you heard voices lately that fill your mind with negative thoughts because of past or present happenings? Have you concluded, “This is the beginning of the end, and everything has started to crash?” Do not be deceived; it is a lie. It is neither the end nor the beginning of the end, but the end of a bad cycle. Life continues beyond this point. Some bible characters found themselves where the future looked bleak. Let us consider God’s response to them.

King Ahaz of Judah (Isaiah 7:1-16): A league of Syria and Israel came to destroy Jerusalem. Ahaz thought it was the end for them; he became timid and fearful. God sent Elijah to tell him to ask Him for a sign, but he could not. He was numbed by his enemy’s might. Then God gave him a sign, “A virgin shall be with a child.” What has that got to do with impending destruction?

King Hezekiah (Isaiah 37:1-30): King Sennacherib of Assyria laid a siege on Jerusalem. Stunned, Hezekiah considered getting help from Egypt. However, he sent this message to Isaiah: “This day is a day of trouble…for the children have come to the birth, and no strength to bring forth.” God’s word to Hezekiah was, “You shall eat this year and next year such as grows of itself… But in the third year, you will sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.” What has farming got to do with war and the destruction of Jerusalem?

Paul at Sea (Acts 27:13-26): Paul and his co-passengers/prisoners were doomed to perish at sea. Their boat almost capsized after 14 days in a storm and in darkness. But Paul told them it was not the end; “For there stood by me this night an angel of God…saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’” They were about to perish; what had Caesar to do with that?

Strange as it seemed, God, showed these men a picture of a future that included them: “Ahaz, one of your descendants will have a miracle child; you can’t die now.” “Hezekiah, you will return to your farm and eat its produce.” “Paul, there is a meeting with Caesar you must attend.” You may have had a year of challenges, setbacks, disappointments, and rejections or maybe confronted with a situation where escape seems impossible. “There is a hereafter!” The journey continues; the last word you heard on that matter is not the last word. It will end in praise. You will see your children, get income from your startup, live in your own house, give people a lift in your car, attend your children’s graduation events, etc. Your expectations will not be cut off.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY: 

Psalm 34:5, II Corinthians 4:17 & Psalm 30:5

PRAYER POINTS

+ Lord, the devil may think he gave me a knockout, intending to count me out just like he thought he had ended Jesus in the grave; However, His story continued. I declare that I will rise again; my story will continue, I will not end like this, in shame, fear, bound by bad habits, or in frustration.

+ I still have a future – in growth, fruitfulness, sound mind, and perfect health, in Jesus’ name, Amen.