I was on a writing-roll this morning—at least in my head--and then life interrupted as it usually does. Since I am still fasting anxiety, I have chosen to leave both the inspiration for today’s blog and the finding of a solution to this morning’s dilemma in God’s hands where they belong. Trust is the bedrock of any intimate relationship, especially that of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Considering who we acknowledge God to be and what we know about Him--from our experiences and those of others--trusting Him should be the easiest thing in the world—almost natural. But it isn’t, and often the best we are able to offer God is a nod of partial confidence. We have a real enemy who is bound and determined to keep a heavy question mark dangling over God’s head, so that we will focus on the question rather than the answer: Can we really trust God at all times, in all things? Is God the only answer?
Highlighted at the beginning of the new year are opportunities for new prospects and perspectives, new plans and purposes, perhaps preceded by some retrospection and introspection.
For the last several years, somewhere within the Christmas to New Year’s stretch, my mother has had every family member write out answers to five questions, that are then sealed in an envelope and opened around the same time next year. I am no more a fan of this activity than I am of the New Year holiday. However, each year, I dutifully take pen in hand and make an attempt, albeit often half-hearted, to address the standard five questions. My first impulse is to mentally answer each question facetiously with a question of my own, except for the last; that one gets answered genuinely from my heart.
1) What is one accomplishment you completed during the past year? (You mean other than survival?)
2) What is one goal you have for the next year? (Does it have to be one I actually intend to pursue?)
3) What is one thing you would like to change? (You mean, other than my husband?)
4) What is one prediction for the coming year? (Can I refer to Nostradamus before answering?)
5) What is one wish you have? When I get to this question, I instinctively substitute the word “prayer” for “wish.” My answer to this question remains the same from year to year. The reason? This particular prayer has yet to be answered, and has existed for many years prior to the inception of this family New Year’s activity.
I question: Has God not heard? Why has this prayer not been answered given that it is a petition in agreement with His Word and will? Are the powers of darkness prevailing? Are my hopes misplaced?
And herein ensues the battle. Ultimately, the bottom line in every battle we face, in every aspect of daily living, involves our willingness to trust God, which in turn, depends on our learning to rightly discern between God’s truth and the devil’s lies, between carnal and eternal reality. Our response to life, to whatever the new year brings or produces, depends on the strength of our trust relationship with God. While our state and condition of being might be very real at a given point in time, what is true might be quite contrary to what is perceived.
In real-time, Paul was hard-pressed, but that he was crushed was a lie: Paul experienced the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, but lived in the power of His resurrection. Paul was perplexed, but in truth, he was not in despair: Paul rejoiced in hope of the glory of God and this hope was the anchor of his soul. Persecuted, yes, but forsaken, no--God was with Him, Christ was in Him. Struck down--indeed, but destroyed—no way. Through Christ, death is swallowed up in victory; the victory is ours, the battle is the Lord’s.
Our starting block for the new year and every day in the new year is truth. Who and what do we believe?
What of plans gone awry past, present or future? God says, “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer.29: 11)
What about adversity, trials and tribulations in our path? God says that He has considered our trouble and known our soul in adversity. Fear may be on every side, but we can hide ourselves in the secret place of His presence. We can choose to say, “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord. I say you are my God. My times—this year, this season, this trial—are in your hands.” (Ps 31)
How do I hold unanswered prayer? In faith that what God has purposed and spoken will come to pass. God has heard. He has not forgotten. The enemy is defeated; he cannot prevail. My hope is in Christ alone and in Him all God’s promises are Yes and Amen.
As we come to the end of the first week of the new year, I thank the Lord for His unchanging faithfulness and I pray that He will open the eyes of our heart to see the great goodness that He has laid up for those who trust in Him. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. I stand in awe of You and your unfailing love. With every step I take in this new year, draw me into a deeper walk of trust in and withYou.
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