The God of History and the Future

“The God of History and the Future”- Romans 9:1-9, 23-29

Do you ever think to yourself, “What in the world is God doing,” “What in the world is God doing with me,” or the epic question “How is it all going to end?” These are different questions that people who are lost in the world will ask, but many of us, as believers, find ourselves asking these very questions but we are able to see it all from a different view of time. Our society’s view of time is pictured negatively because there is a belief that life is nothing and one becomes nothing; we, as believers, have a biblical view of time, which includes the following: God is at the beginning and has taken charge of it, Jesus Christ is at the center of history, and Jesus Christ will bring about a triumphant conclusion- total restoration! There is HOPE!


When we take the time to look at the three distinct points of a biblical view of time, we come to realize that having faith in God is NOT a leap into the dark. As new believers, (and sometimes as old believers), we find ourselves wondering why it is that we do not understand a particular aspect of our walk with God, such as not understanding why God would allow something to happen in our lives at a particular time, but what we must realize is that as believers we have faith seeking understanding. We will not automatically understand all of God or make sense of certain things right away, but we begin to understand as we move along trusting God and His word.


It may seem as if we must do something to bring ourselves to a place in which we are worthy of acquiring this understanding, but God is the one who initiates a relationship! Let us consider the life and story of Abraham. Abraham (who was called Abram at the time when God calls him) is living in a land of pagans and idol worship; God comes down and initiates a relationship regardless of who Abram was, the life he was living, and what he may have done! God actually, in His great love, calls this man, Abram, changes his name, and speaks over him saying that He will bless ALL the nations of the earth through him. Imagine what He is calling each and every one of us to do and be. God is the pursuer because He loves us even though there is absolutely no merit in us!


God calls Abram, now Abraham, and speaks that amazing prophecy over him and his seed, but sadly Israel forgets time and time again about Jesus Christ who will come through Israel. How many times have we heard God speak over our lives, tell us the great plans He has for our lives, and we negate them because we believe there is no way it can be accomplished; maybe it is that we do not feel He has told us anything about our future. Why would we stop so short when we, as believers, serve the God who knows the beginning, middle, and end?!? We have a place in the will of God; He has a plan for each and every one who comes into His family. Our place in the world is in Christ, and we have become a part of His story… what greater place to be and to do as we are told!


In the end, God is going to wrap up the story and then there will be judgment, but running parallel to this judgment is His faithfulness to His people. We should have hope in being His people and doing and being in His will. This should also lead us to a sense of soberness, to ask ourselves whether we are doing all we have been asked to do as per the Lord’s calling on our lives. He has called us to reach outward, and we must make sure that we are accomplishing His will and purposes, not only in our lives, but also in helping those in the world. He knows all that was, is, and will be, and He has a plan for each and every one of His children! Embrace your plan and place in His will!