Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared the devotions I shared at our band practice last Wednesday evening. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.
Over the last couple of weeks we’ve celebrated Easter, and for many that has also meant holiday time as the school have been off. For many of us I’m sure we’ve all had many conversations about what we did, where we went, who we saw over Easter weekend.
But underneath those conversations, there’s often something else going on…the quiet reality that life keeps moving, and we don’t always know what’s coming next.
And if we’re honest, not knowing what lies ahead can be scary.
- Some of us are facing decisions we didn’t expect.
- Some are carrying worries we haven’t spoken out loud.
- Some are waiting for answers that still haven’t come.
- Some are stepping into a time that feels uncertain and possibly scary.
And when the future feels foggy, our minds do what human minds do
- we imagine the worst,
- we try to control everything,
- we doubt,
- we worry,
- we ask God, “Are You still there, are you sure You’ve got this?”
Even though we know the verse – The one we’ve heard many times over the years
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
It’s a beautiful promise, but it’s also a challenging one.
Because God says, “I know the plans…” and we reply, “Yes, Lord, but I don’t.”
And that gap between what God knows and what we can see
- Is where our fear grows.
- It’s where doubt whispers.
- It’s where our trust is tested.
The truth is, God has already gone ahead of us. He’s already in the places we’re worried about. He’s already working in the situations we can’t fix. He’s already preparing the answers we haven’t received yet.
But as humans, we still struggle. We still doubt. We still try to take back control, and yet, God remains patient.
He doesn’t shame us for being afraid.
He doesn’t scold us for doubting.
He simply invites us to trust Him again…
and again…
and again.
As a band, we often play music that speaks of faith, courage, and surrender, but tonight, maybe the invitation is simpler:
To trust God with the parts of our lives we can’t see yet.
To believe that His plan is still good, even when the path isn’t clear.
To walk forward, not because we know the future, but because we know the One who holds our future in His hands.
Prayer
Lord,
You see every unknown we’re facing. You know every fear we carry, every doubt we wrestle with, every question we’re too afraid to ask out loud.
Thank You for the promise that You have plans for us — plans filled with hope, purpose, and a future.
Help us trust You when the road ahead feels uncertain. Help us lean on You when our confidence wavers. Help us remember that You are already in tomorrow, working, guiding, preparing, and leading.
Teach us to trust You — not just when life is clear, but especially when it isn’t.
We choose again tonight to place our lives in Your hands. Help us trust You always.
Amen.
The Distinct Dot 