What About the Future?

Though we are concerned about the young today, this is especially written for those who are getting on in years and whose life lies mostly behind them. It seems but yesterday, does it not, since we were young ourselves, with life brightly before us? How quickly the years have flown! How brief the time has been! Maybe you agree with the saying, "I have too much past and too little future."

We like to dwell on the past, telling others of the trials and the difficulties we have passed through, as well as our pleasant memories. Maybe we can speak of hard times, of bitter disappointments and sorrows hard to bear, for it is quite true, as one of God's servants of old said, "Man is born unto trouble" (Job 5:7).

The present time, too, has its problems, though perhaps of another kind. We are more aware of our bodily infirmities than we used to be. Illness often besets us more. Our faculties and our memory seem to be going downhill.

We can, however, dwell too much on past and present circumstances, so that we give little or no thought to the future. After all, we are fellow travelers to eternity, and the all-important question is, "Where will you spend eternity?"

Perhaps some who will read this message do not trouble about such things, vaguely hoping that all will be right in the end. They may feel that they are as good as, if not better than some others, and having lived a respectable life as things go, why should they have anything to fear?

To be in this attitude of mind is a very sad state, because the Bible says, "There is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12). Many "die in their sins" (John 8:24) because they do not humble themselves before God. They compare themselves with others but remain indifferent to their own need of salvation through God's grace (Ephesians 2:8,9).

It may be, however, that you are not deceived in this way. You know that you are a sinner in God's sight, and that you need something more than your own righteousness and respectability to stand before God.

If this is your concern, then we have good news for you because "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, bids you to come unto Him and find rest unto your soul (Matthew 11:28-30). The simple words of the hymn:

Just as I am, without one plea, 
But that Thy blood was shed for me, 
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, 
O Lamb of God I come," 

have expressed the confession of many a seeking soul, and may they be the reader's earnest prayer to the Lord also. If you draw near to God in repentance, He will receive you, for He says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).

Then instead of fear and uncertainty regarding the future, peace and forgiveness by His Spirit will possess your heart (Romans 5:1,2). When death shall finally call you away it will not be, as with the self-righteous, to "die in your sins," but to "die in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13) and to "depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better" (Philippians 1:23).

Be wise, therefore, and consider your latter end while God gives you time and opportunity. "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6). He will at the last bring you into His presence, "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

With Christ as your Saviour, the future is not "too little," but bright and glorious and eternal. Truly, the best is yet to be. —Adapted (mwtb.org)