Looking Forward To the New Year
Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, Hebrews 10:13
Read the Scripture, ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us’ (1 Samuel 7:12), then read this Scripture: ‘Henceforth expecting ‘til His enemies be made His footstool.’ Note the words ‘hitherto’ and ‘henceforth’. The first refers to the past; the second refers to the future. If you’re anxious about the future, recall and dwell on God’s faithfulness to you during the past year and you’ll be able to say, ‘Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given…was left unfulfilled; everything He [has] spoken came true’ (Joshua 21:45). Who but God has a CV and a track record like that?
Looking back, Paul recalled times when there wasn’t enough money in the kitty and he had to go to work as a tentmaker in order to support his ministry. He could remember the whippings, the stonings and the betrayal at the hands of those he trusted. But listen to what he says about it: ‘Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand…’ (Acts 26:22). Jeremiah felt the same way: ‘Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness’ (Lamentations 3:22-23).
No doubt, you failed God at some points last year, but did He ever once fail you? No, and He won’t fail you this year either, so trust Him. A. B. Simpson wrote: ‘How often we trust each other, and only doubt our Lord. We take the words of mortals, yet distrust His Word; but, oh, what light and glory, would shine o’er all our days; if we always would remember, God means just what He says.’
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me reflect on Your faithfulness over this past year, and knowing that move into the New Year knowing that You are with me and remain faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen