Once again we find our-selves having embarked on a journey into a new year. The old year with all its problems, disappointments, regrets, mistakes, and a host of other things that we had to face has faded away and we are already in the second month of the year. However, the question that crosses our minds is, “I wonder what this year has in store for me?” “Will I be able to cope with the challenges and demands of life?”. The problem with many folk is that they look in the wrong direction for guidance. Just recently whilst having my quiet time in the morning, my daily reading which was based on Psalm 121 caused me to realize that the quest for God’s guidance in this year is to look for the source. “I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES UNTO THE HILLS, FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP? MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH.”

Failing to take God at His word and to trust Him can have grave consequences because when you find yourself going through dire straits, who do you turn to? Proverbs 3:5 & 6 has the answer: “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS.” When we put our trust in Jesus, we know that we are in good hands. God’s promises to His children are yea and amen. Deuteronomy 33:27 is one of those promises: “THE ETERNAL GOD IS YOUR REFUGE, AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS.”

One of the concerns that confront folk from time to time is fear. They have a fear of this and a fear of that, which causes folk a lot of despair and anxiety. Fear is an instrument of torment sent from Satan. We are reminded in 2Timothy 1:7 about fear, “FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND.” I end with Psalm 121:7-8, “THE LORD SHALL PRESERVE YOU FROM ALL EVIL; HE SHALL PRE-SERVE YOUR SOUL. THE LORD SHALL PRESERVE YOUR GOING OUT AND YOUR COMING IN FROM THIS TIME FORTH, AND EVEN FOREVEREMORE”.

Be blessed as you put your trust in Jesus.

Colin