Assurance for the New Year
This morning we received warning messages on our cell phones about the danger of flash floods in our area. I guess that is better than a blizzard. Debbie and Stephanie joined some of the other ladies of the family for a special birthday tea time in honor of Mckenzie who turns three. This evening Debbie and I enjoyed connecting with our friends Billy and Carol Roberts. It is always good to see them and get caught up on family and enjoy good conversation.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.” Isaiah 41:10 ERV
Plans, goals and anticipation are all part of looking forward to a New Year. The future also holds are great deal of uncertainty. As we face 2016, we don’t know what all will transpire. We have an important Presidential election, we have economic uncertainties, we face the constant awareness of terrorism in our country and world.
However in the midst of all the uncertainties of the future we have the steadfast assurance that the Lord is with us. The well-known words of Isaiah tell us that the Lord’s presence should dispel worry and fear. When the Lord is with us we ca have confidence for the strength and help that is needed when it is needed. That is one thing individuals consistently discover. When the Lord is with you, what you don’t believe you can “face” or “handle” you can because of the strength of the Lord. We find the Lord remind us, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you...” (Isa. 43:2 NLT)
We often associate God’s presence and blessing to “good times.” To those times in life when life seems smooth and trouble free. However, the promise of God’s presence is consistently found describing the most challenging times of life. We need to remember that those times in which we are tempted to doubt God’s presence, is when He wants us to realize the power of His presence.
That is one of the key lessons that my family and I learned during my time of extended illness. Facing many days of uncertainty, when the seriousness of my medical condition escalated they held firm that God was with us. God’s presence may be manifested in the strength and peace He provides beyond our comprehension and it may be revealed through others and even circumstances that defy human logic. If we look for Him, we will see Him. “I will be found by you,” declares the LORD…” (Jeremiah 29:14 NIV)
We can have assurance of God’s presence and His love for us. Paul the Apostle declared with confidence, “Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38,39 ERV)
The Lord does not change His opinion about us. He is faithful and He is consistent. He doesn’t change like the seasons. God’s love is not an insulation from life, it is a comfort we find in the midst of all that life brings.
We also take assurance that God is in control. “The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”
(Habakkuk 2:20 NIV) During a time of great distress and confusion for Isaiah, he received this vision, “I saw the Lord sitting on a very high and wonderful throne. His long robe filled the Temple.“ (Isaiah 6:1 ERV) The posture of a ruler, sitting, high and exalted shows sovereignty and control. He is not surprised in distress or confused.
The writer of Hebrews declared, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb. 13:8 NIV) Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matt. 24:35 NIV)Â We have an anchor, we have a hope that steadies us in times of uncertainty.
As you face any sense of concern or uncertainty about the future, you can have the assurance that God is with you, His love never fails and He is in control.