“Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Christians are very focused on the future. To be precise, we are eagerly anticipating a specific, yet unknown, point in the future when Jesus returns and ushers in His new and redeemed world where those who accepted His gift of salvation will spend eternity basking in His beauty and goodness.

But until then, there is the present to contend with. And it’s a lot.

The world is filled with all manner of evil: pain, death, fear, uncertainty, sickness, poverty, inequality of all kinds, hatred, oppression… It’s a very long list.

So it’s easy to despair. When I look around at the present and see so much seemingly unassailable evil, I read today’s verse and totally relate to the first half.

Thankfully the Psalmist didn’t stop there. They didn’t stop at the depression and desperation, the turmoil and trouble.

Fortunately the Psalmist returns my focus to the future. The promised future where all evil is vanquished and only goodness, beauty, light, and joy remain.

I can’t wait.

Dear God,

I am so grateful for the promise you have given to me and all of your children. A hope for a future filled with the joy of your presence and an utter lack of evil. Thank you for the reminder of this promise in the midst of my despair. Teach me to live confidently and obediently in the present, holding fast to that bright future.