This is what the Lord says: “Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.”
If you have ever had a look at a horoscope you will probably have concluded that it is all a lot of nonsense. They may have told you that today is a good day to make friends, avoid puddles or plan your holidays. However, horoscopes are nothing new. For more than 4,000 years, people have taken astrology very seriously. They have developed sophisticated ways of reading the stars in order to guide their lives. In the time of Jeremiah, the Babylonians were particularly committed to this way of predicting the future. But the prophet was clear that this was not the way to seek guidance. His confidence was in his God, and he refused to be swayed by astrology, however much others were influenced by it.
We are, of course, all immensely interested in the future. Inevitably we wonder what is going to happen, but I seriously doubt whether we would want to know the precise details. Just imagine if you knew when and where you were going on holiday for the rest of your life, when you were going to fall ill or when you were going to die. I think most of us would conclude that we would rather not know. However, what we do need to know is that our future is secure in God’s hands. It is precisely the security which the psalmist celebrated when he wrote: “I am trusting you, O Lord, saying: ‘You are my God!’ My future is in your hands” (Psalm 31:14-15).




As we live for God today we should praise him for his continual presence with us and the sure knowledge that he will never leave our side, whatever the future holds.




Question: What are your thoughts about your future?
Prayer: Loving Father, I am content to know that my future is in your hands. Thank you that you will never leave my side. Amen

Released on 28 Aug 2022