Happy New Year everyone! Anybody else really hopeful as we start out this new year? Or are you worried that this year will be much the same as last year? Personally, I'm feeling a bit of both, very hopeful, but a little bit worried!
If any song could sum up my prayers for everyone reading this, it is this song, It came up one of the Spotify playlists I was listening to, at just the right time for me! I was tired. Weary from the usual adjustment that happens after the holiday season, the rough transition from having no routine to our usual routine of busy, trying to juggle too many balls at the same time.
For all of those who are struggling, (that's all of us, let's be honest!) let this song uplift you and bring you strength to keep going through this new year!
God is greater, God is able, God is our peace.
"(This is how) we set our hearts at rest in His presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:19b-20
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
We can draw near the throne of grace, the throne of our God in heaven. Only from God, can we receive mercy and find grace. God is our "spring of living water" (Jeremiah 2:13) and the blessings we receive through this spring are mercy, grace & peace.
"I lift my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber." Psalm 121:1-2
God never stops watching over us. Let that fact settle over you. Through whatever you are facing, God is caring for you, and will never stop.
Abraham believed God was able. His incredible faith is mentioned in Hebrews and in Romans. "Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." Romans 4:19-22
Through his faith, Abraham became the father of many nations. He trusted that God was able, and God blessed his faith and from him "came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." Hebrews 11:12b
God himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14a) and only through God can we find peace.
"The foundation of the Christian’s peace is everlasting; it is what no time, no change can destroy. It will remain when the body dies; it will remain when the mountains depart and the hills shall be removed, and when the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. The fountain of His comfort shall never be diminished, and the stream shall never be dried. His comfort and joy is a living spring in the soul, a well of water springing up to everlasting life." Jonathan Edwards'
When it feels like the world is trying to pull us down, let's remember the words of God spoken in Jeremiah 1:19: "They will fight against you, but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you."
May this be the year that you grow even closer to God and learn to trust God to guide you through the twists and turns that the world will inevitably give you!
Song credits: Jessica Campbell Waterman | Michael Farren
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