Devotion

Never Would Have Made It
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. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." --- Lamentations 3:22-24

Today my spirit strongly senses the ebb and flow of the many thoughts and prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ who - like me - are reflecting on the toll that families all over the world have paid during this year that has come to its end. When we gathered together in worship and celebration during our 2019 Watch Night Service, never in our wildest dreams did we expect to face what we have endured. Apart from the first few weeks of normalcy we lived between January and the start of March, we have otherwise viewed 2020 behind our face masks, the windowpanes of our homes, and the daily news broadcasts. Today, we are on the eve of yet another year. And even though we are people of faith and we trust God with our lives, in truth we have some concerns about the unpredictability of the approaching 2021 New Year. God wants us to admit the truth of how we really feel, because He already knows. But there is something else He wants us to do that is for our good and for His Glory. He wants us to reflect on each new day He awakened us to and every obstacle He brought us through. He wants us to think about the times He brought sunshine and rain, and the comfort He gave us for all of our pain. Remember how He continues to protect us, and make a way. Remember He is the reason we are still here this day. Now on the eve of a new tomorrow, let's stand in hope and not in sorrow. We never would have made it if it were not in God's will. And His will for tomorrow belongs to Him still. So be encouraged. God's work is not yet done. Because of Jesus - there will be nothing we can't handle in 2021. Let the church say, "Halleluiah, and Amen."