Endings and beginnings

If you pay attention to the news - and I do - you might feel a bit like that cute puppy right now. 2018 is an unknown and filled with all kinds of potential for scary things.

On the other hand, it has the same potential for amazing wonders. All that matters is the lens you're looking at the world through. If you are holding tight to God's word and His promises, then there is nothing to fear, just as He says in Psalm 31:

How abundant are the good things
    that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
    on those who take refuge in you.

In the shelter of your presence you hide them
    from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling
    from accusing tongues.  

Praise be to the Lord,
    for he showed me the wonders of his love
    when I was in a city under siege.
 In my alarm I said,
    “I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
    when I called to you for help.

 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!
    The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
    but the proud he pays back in full.
Be strong and take heart,
    all you who hope in the Lord.

Let that be your battle cry tonight, as you look into 2018: Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. This may be the year He comes for us - but even if not, He will be there with us. 

Hopes and fears

We all have hopes and fears from the moment we wake up each morning. You know what yours are, and you know that some days - some years, perhaps - are worse than others. What I pray you also know is that God is waiting for you to turn all those over to Him. He can take your worst fear, and even if it actually happens, make it work for your good. And your hopes? His word says that He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. 

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 Ephesians 3:20

As you finish your Christmas preparations or pack your bags to visit loved ones (maybe some you haven't seen in a long time), give your hopes and fears to God. He's the only one who can actually do something about them. May His peace fill your heart today and always.