As I sit and await the ticking down of the last minutes of yet another year of the many I've lived, I can sit and wonder - what will the next year hold? Will it bring blessing or cursing? Health or sickness? Prosperity or need? But as I wonder all this, a more important question arises: In what or Whom do I put my trust? I just wrote some emails to friends and a little verse came to mind for it: Looking back, so many reasons to praise Him...Looking forward, so many reasons to trust Him. How true. God has so faithfully demonstrated his love and care for our family through the years by revealing more and more of Himself to us, by walking with us through life and teaching us by His Holy Spirit, by lovingly chastising us, by showing us over and again the sterling integrity of His Word which is a reflection of His nature - to a degree that we can rest in WHO HE IS. No matter what may come, we can rest and trust! He will order our steps! He will keep us! He will finish what He has begun in us! He will lift our heads above our enemies! He will train us for battle! He will never leave us or forsake us! His joy will be our strength! Oh, there is so much to anchor us in peaceful waters for our spirits no matter what stormy depths swirl around us and dash up against us. God, who has called us, is faithful. From the Puritan treasury of heartfelt cries of faith, Valley of Vision:
O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father as my harbour,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.
Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear be my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.
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