We are facing a new year. Thanksgiving is gone; Christmas celebrations are over; and right before us is 2019. I’ve told many of you that I feel like the entire year of 2018 has been but a blur. Again, the holidays have come and gone and we are preparing to enter a brand new year.
The worst part of any new year is the uncertainty of the future. None of us know what 2019 has in store for us as individuals, as a nation, and even as a church. However, the comforting truth of this insecurity is that God knows all about 2019. He is not taken by surprise because of our current situations nor the year to come. He’s omniscient and omnipresent therefore He knows all that 2019 has in store for us and, in fact, is already there since He is not limited by time or space. Our responsibility as Christians is to simply trust in Him to carry us through this year and every year until Christ returns.
During the reign of King Jehoshaphat (ca B.C. 874-850) the Southern Kingdom was faced with hostility from Ammon, Moab, and others. These nations came to make war with Judah. Not knowing what the future held, whether victory or defeat; not knowing how they should respond; not knowing what such a battle would be like, King Jehoshaphat poured his heart out to Almighty God in the midst of such opposition. (Read II Chronicles 20:1-30). In II Chronicles 20:12 Jehoshaphat makes what I believe should be our response to facing a new year: “…nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Brothers and sisters, we are at war as we journey through this life. We battle against powers and principalities. The outward circumstances of our lives and the life of our nation are but physical manifestations of the spiritual battles that are taking place all around us. How do we face the powerful opposition of evil that battles against us? By focusing our attention on the Lord Jesus Christ. “Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
If we’ll truly make this the sentiment of our hearts we’ll be able to face 2019 with the courage and strength to accomplish all the Lord lays before us this year. So, be of good cheer! We are in God’s hands. Let’s obediently walk with Him this year and fulfill the mission He’s given to each of us as individuals and as a church. May we all seek to bring Him glory this year as together we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
By His Grace,
Pastor Johnny