What does the future hold? When we look at the hate-filled racism being espoused at Charlottesville, or when we look at the antics of North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, we have reason to be worried. We also may have personal reasons to fear a grim future—when we are facing enormous unresolved problems, or when we consider the approach of death.

But the picture changes when we look to God’s Word! There we see how God has opened up for us a glorious future through Jesus Christ. We can live today in the light of that future as we put our faith in Christ. Moreover, we can share with Christ in moving our world today toward that future, as we become witnesses for His grace and compassion and truth. Thus in spite of the challenges that we face we have hope—because we are looking beyond ourselves to the saving power of God!

As the apostle Paul said, “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Ephesians 1:17–21
Hebrews 11:8–10
I Peter 1:3–4

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.