But you,
Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, son of My friend Abraham, I
have taken you from the ends of the earth. I have called you from its farthest
parts, and said to you, ‘You are My servant. I have chosen you and have not
turned away from you.’ Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I
am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I
will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good. Isaiah
41:8-10
As I start my devotions for the
New Year, I realized something that many of you may have already
acknowledged. 2015 was a hard year! I know that I had my
challenges, but when I recall a lot of the pain and suffering many of you have
had to endure, my troubles seem to pale in comparison. Some people I know have
even begun to question where God fits in their lives or even if He
exists. When you hear the conversation circle around that fact, you know
things have been tough. We all get knocked down at some point, and yes,
the life we live can at times be discouraging. But today, I want to
follow along the verse of 1 Thessalonians 5:11; to encourage you and build you
up by assuring that God is still God, and He is with you.
God is with you each and every
step of the way. The challenges and suffering you may have faced last
year will not last, and the uncertainty and fear you may be dealing with shall
not endure. God knows exactly where you are, and wants you to know He has not
forgotten you. David wrote in Psalm 23:4, “Even when I walk through the
darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your
rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” These are words of encouragement
whether in good times or bad. For those of you who may be in a time of
prosperity, let this be a time to pause and reflect on the blessings God has
given you, and for you to ask what you are doing for God. Deuteronomy
8:11 says, “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you
do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and
decrees that I am giving you today.”
The New Year is a time to reset
and look ahead at what God has in store for you. We have been saved
through Christ so that we will one day live with Him in Heaven. Thus while we
may have uncertainty in our lives, we can be assured that God
is always with us. What can you do to focus more on God’s promises
and less on your current situation? How can you in live by 2 Corinthians
5:7 where you walk by faith and not by sight? My prayer for you today is
no matter where you are and what you are going through; keep the words of an
old gospel hymnal in your mind and heart;
Be not
dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His
wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
God will
take care of you,
Through
every day,
O’er all the
way;
He will take
care of you,
God will
take care of you!
Amen.
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