As the rain and snow

“[Hezekiah] set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together… and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

“After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria,.. sent… to Hezekiah and the people in Jerusalem, saying,.. ‘On what are you trusting, that you endure the siege? Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die.., when he tells you, “The Lord our God will deliver us from the king of Assyria”? Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and altars..? Do you not know what I… have done to the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands at all able to deliver? Who among all the gods… was able to deliver his people, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand? Do not let Hezekiah deceive or mislead you.., and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand… How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand!’

“His servants said still more against the Lord and Hezekiah. He wrote letters to cast contempt on the Lord,.. saying, ‘Like the gods of the nations of the lands who have not delivered their people from my hands, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver his people from my hand.’ They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands.

“Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet prayed because of this and cried to heaven. And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors, commanders, and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria… The Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all his enemies, and he provided for them on every side.” 2 Chronicles 32:6-17,19-21a,22

Sennacherib of Assyria had reason to boast about power and military success, but he underestimated the might of God. His life and rule were littered with gods of flesh, and earthly successes blinded him from recognizing the distinctiveness of the God with a capital G. The Lord would humble him by proving His supremacy through the impossible comparison and King Hezekiah’s victory.

In a happy-go-lucky life peppered with activity, it’s natural not to consider who God is or what interested He has in what I do. In a busy or successful life packed with pressures and performance, it’s easy to drive independently and get entrapped by self-importance. Yet, in any life filled with worries and battles and all-important pursuits, God is very much involved. Looking to little-g gods precludes our grasping His sovereignty and constant divine work.

Have I confused or diminished God to god-status? As relevant only when needed, a good luck charm, another angel? How will I exalt Him as supreme by bold words and confident action?

Lord, may I always take Your power and plans seriously, to Your praise.

“The people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast… with great gladness, and the Levites and priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might to the Lord. And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the Lord…

“Then the priests and Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.

“When all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned to their cities, every man to his possession.

“And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites,.. each according to his service,.. for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the Lord and to give thanks and praise. The contribution of the king from his own possessions was for..: the burnt offerings of morning and evening, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts… And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord. As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.” 2 Chronicles 30:21-22a,27; 31:1-5

Judah had been infected by a divided heart, but under Hezekiah’s godly reign they returned to the Lord and turned their ways. Breaking down idol altars, they freed themselves to offer up thanks and praise and give in abundance. Hezekiah’s leadership and encouragement infected them with gratitude to God and a new perspective that resulted in joyful generosity across the land.

Preoccupation with self and stuff stymies unsullied worship, gratitude, and generosity. At the beckoning of the devil, many societies promote such obsession and idolatry. The contagion takes hold and blinds to higher worship and more meaningful life. The way out of a divided heart is first to remove those false gods that captivate attention and affection. Redirecting allegiances by acknowledging God as Lord opens our eyes to those foreign lovers we have befriended, and gives us courage to get rid of them once for all. (Psalm 86:11)

Rejoicing in the Lord God as faithful, merciful Redeemer brings changes of mindset and priority. Energies formerly given to meaningless pursuits are spent lifting heart and voice to exalt the heavenly King. Purity and praise work holy passion into the soul. New healthy habits are developed, and hands are opened to give.

Where and how have we been taken captive by idols? Do we regularly prioritize our wants, selves, families, work or recreation to the point they crowd minds and schedules, leaving no space for worship, service, fellowship? How would our attitudes and desires change if earnest prayer was given to singing thanksgiving and praise, naming and breaking sin, and offering up all we’ve been entrusted with to God?

Father, help me set and keep godly priorities that exalt You and minister to others.

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

“And he taught them, saying:

“’Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“’Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“’Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“’Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“’Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“’Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“’Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“’Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“’Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…

“’You are the salt of the earth…

“’You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'” Matthew 5:1-16

Once Jesus began His public ministry, He trekked by land and shore preaching, calling, and healing. Up and down, in and through and out, He proclaimed the gospel to individuals and crowds. He also made it a priority to get time alone with His chosen disciples, drawing them up the mountain and sitting down with them to impart blessed truths that would guide and fortify. They were nascent followers, and He knew all that would come to pass. (Matthew 4:17-25)

Such is the work of the Lord in all His disciples’ lives. Attending our daily way, He abides as companion, example, and teacher, and blesses us richly and particularly when we go up from the crowd to sit down with Him. Here, in His presence away from the world’s noise, we can listen to His voice. Here, at His feet, we can receive His anointing and instruction. Here, from His attention, we are strengthened by understanding and blessed comfort. He knows our proclivities and the way we will take, and is faithful to train, sustain, exhort, and encourage as we guard communion with Him. (Job 23:10; Luke 21:14-15)

From what do we need ‘go up’ to keep time with the Lord? What do we glean from conversing together, and how might we record and repeat it? What blessing from God have we passed along to another?

“Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone;
As you have so’t, so let me seek
Your erring children, lost and lone.

Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet;
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hung’ring ones with manna sweet.

Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things that you impart,
And wing my words, that I may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

Oh, use me, Lord, use even me
Just as you will, and when, and where,
Until your blessèd face I see,
Your rest, your joy, your glory share.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1872)

Amen.

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. In the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David…

“Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord… When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes…

“Huldah the prophetess said, ‘Thus says the Lord,.. Because they have forsaken me and made offerings to other gods,.. my wrath will be poured out on this place… Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words… and have torn your clothes and wept, I have heard you… I will gather you to your fathers… in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring…’

“Then the king gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [He] went up to the house of the Lord, with all the men of Judah and Jerusalem and the priests and Levites, all the people both great and small. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. The king stood and made a covenant… to walk after the Lord and keep his commandments and testimonies and statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant… And Josiah took away all the abominations from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not turn away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.

“Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem… He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 34:1-3a,14,19-21,25,27-31,33; 35:1-2

After over half a century of abominable leadership, where idolatry and rebellion were the rule save for a few of Manasseh’s final years, young Josiah was enthroned in Judah. By God’s grace, by no immediate example or spiritual vitality in the land, he sought the Lord, and by conscience did what was right in His eyes. When the Book of the Law was found and read, he tore his clothes as its truth rent his heart, and was compelled to drastic reforms that reestablished worship that honored God. (2 Chronicles 33:1-6,9-13,20-22; 35:2-18)

It is a common grace from our Creator to be led by noble passion and a sharp conscience. Aligning these with God’s powerful word pierces with conviction and drives home real change. How committed are we to prioritizing the Bible as our supreme standard for life, allowing it to regularly penetrate a humble, seeking heart to deep conviction?

What ‘books’ compete to direct everyday instruction in managing relationships, handling family and work issues? Do we rely on self-direction, or so expose ourselves to God’s word that we’ve torn our clothes of self-righteousness and pride? What changes can it begin to effect today?

Lord, may I grieve what grieves You, cherish what You cherish, and build Your kingdom to Your glory.

“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’  So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.  And when they saw it, they all grumbled, ‘He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’  And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'” Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho with souls in mind. Crowds gathered and murmured as the wandering Hebrew passed through town, wondering how close they could get, where would He go, what would He do? Interested only in His personae, curious activities, and disarming words, the big people proved their small, petty thinking by grumbling at Christ’s attention to Zaccheus. They missed the larger point of Christ’s compassion and mercy, His mission to save. Only the small rich tax collector had large enough ambition to seek Jesus Himself.

How petty our outlook and small our lives can become when we stay in the crowd. Without the Lord’s large vision, we can grow narrow in desire and pointed in complaint. We can reduce God to an imagination limited by provincialism, prejudice, and preference, and majoring on minors, miss His point. Jesus goes after, draws out, and transforms those compelled to know Him.

As Lord of the whole world, He piques His children’s awareness and concern for significant truth, relationships, and mission- the majors in His broad kingdom. He saves individuals drastically for grand purpose, and sanctifies them for His broad glory. Instead of being persnickety over minor quabbles and consumed with insignificant opinions, the earnest believer goes after Jesus Himself and how He can multiply their spiritual fruit, develop their reach and influence on the world.

Do I identify more as a grousing member of the crowd, or one who goes the distance to get close to Jesus? What does my observation of Him in His word and world evoke in me- criticism, resistance, demanding my better judgment? Or humbled gratitude, wonder at His marvelous grace, hungry desire to be more like Him? Where has my heart grown hard, legalistic, or judgmental? Am I so intent on minor discomforts and grievances with others that I fail to see God or step back to consider His higher purpose? How can I redirect desire and effort to God’s plan over my own? When we focus on the minor and temporal and neglect the major and eternal, we miss out on many glories of the Lord’s intent in everyday life.

Father, keep me favoring and pursuing Your ways and work, to Your honor.

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.” Psalm 90:1

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true… It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death…’

“I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb… Nothing unclean will ever enter it,.. only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

“They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more… The Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 21:1-8,22-23,27; 22:4-5

The dwelling place that is the Lord, spoken of by Moses, is the same dwelling place for His children from eternity past to eternity future. What is promised is prepared and personal and certain, a reminder of the constancy and infinitude of God and our hope. While we dwell in spirit with Him now here below, the partial knowing will be fully revealed when we see Him face to face. (John 14: 1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2)

The promise of life forevermore is as sure as it is broad. What has always been and is now will forever be, and will be made new. Unending intimacy, constant communion, unbroken fellowship, constantly fresh and reviving. Present hope and certain spiritual reality will become actual, tangible reality. God’s people will be forever satisfied, every longing and thirst will be perfectly quenched, evil and suffering, sadness and pain, sin and guilt will be forever removed.

Are we living in the astounding hope and fresh mercy of this promise? What causes us to bemoan limited vision, to stay entrapped in sinful situations or long-held resentments? How can the certainty of God’s abiding love, strength, wisdom, and power inspire action today? Acknowledging and tapping into God’s dwelling with us should prompt bold and joy-filled living. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)

Lord, cause me to delight in and boldly hope in Your eternal dwelling place with me, for Your glory.

“Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem… And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.

“In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests and Levites… and said to them, ‘Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs. They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the Holy Place to God… Therefore the wrath of the Lord came on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes. Our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and daughters and wives are in captivity for this. Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord… in order that his fierce anger may turn away from us. My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.'” 2 Chronicles 29:1-11

From day one, without immediate predecessor example, Hezekiah understood his call as Judah’s king and seized his responsibility. He understood the times and consequences of sin. Desiring to please his Lord, he immediately ordered consecration and cleansing to restore God’s people and nation to honorable worship, obedience, and joy. He led by wholehearted example, demonstrating genuine love and encouragement for his people, attracting many to return to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 29:20-24,27-31,35-36; 30:1,6-9,12,17-20,22; Isaiah 33:6)

The Lord has plans for each of His people, for hope and a future of making a difference and influencing others. As His gospel takes hold in us, it compels us to seize His call in our time and place. It is prudent to understand His broad workings in the age and culture, and to seek His will for our lives in that context. We were not made to exist as islands nor to pursue personal dreams at the omission of God’s wide purposes, but to know Him, bear His image, and do His prepared work. (Genesis 1:26-27; Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 17:26-27; Romans 14:7-9; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:23-24; 1 Peter 4:10-11)

How important is it to us to take up His mantle? Is our priority to hear and heed His high summons, or to tend our days with narrow, self-serving ambition? If we have sought His direction, how prompt and thorough are we in carrying out His instructions, even if they are hard? Do we diligently seen through what He plants in our heart, or placate good intentions? What specific steps will we take today to implement God’s prescribed consecration and obey His call?

Lord, give me discernment and zeal to know and fulfill Your call, for the building of Your kingdom and magnification of Your glory.

“‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned… By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you…  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” John 15:1-6,8-14,16

God the Vinedresser is in the business of taking away, and every branch will experience His righteous cutting in some way. Bear no fruit, and be removed from the Vine Jesus forever; bear fruit, and succumb to His pruning. He works for healthy, flourishing branches who bear abundant fruit in His kingdom and world, and graciously removes everything that hinders holy growth.

In the realm of spiritual agriculture, it’s vital to be assured we are attached to the Vine. Have we by faith been joined to Christ Jesus, our only hope of salvation? Do we acknowledge and rely on Him as the Source of redemption and eternal life?

If we are indeed by grace a branch of His vine, what identifies us as His stock? How well, how consistently, are we abiding, and with what results? Fruit is evidenced by growth of godly character, effectiveness of ministry, and joy within and expressed. Obedience to God’s commands always brings blessing personally and communally as we interact with others and serve God’s people.

Where specifically do we need His careful tending? Have we grown crusty with thorns, hard hearts toward the ones He’s called us to love? Where has stubbornness or selfishness inhibited the free flow of His Spirit through our veins? What specifically will we ask the Lord to remove from mind or practice, or willingly allow His tender, keen care to cut away, that will promote growth and flourishing? How willing are we to lay down our plans, preferences, the need to be right and have the final say for the sake of another?

My Vinedresser, have Your way with me so my countenance and actions prove me a faithful, joy-filled disciple.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice…

“I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly…

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:1-4,7-10,28-29

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Jesus’s listeners were well familiar with the imagery of sheep, doors (gates), and shepherds. He attaches their concepts of ownership, leadership, and tending to His spiritual role in their lives. He was the only One by whom they would find sustenance, security, and fulfillment. Any other way or guide would lead them astray to life bereft of hope. His invitation came by way of clear comparisons of both means and ends, leaving them to decide whom they would follow.

Every day we have this same choice. We may wander near the door to the good shepherd’s sheepfold, curious but reluctant, drawn by love but repelled by innate rebellion. Steps of faith are required to admit the folly of following another to destruction. Would we leave our pride and willful resistance to enter the Gate that is our Savior?

For those in Christ, we too have choices. Arising from sleep, we decide how to enter the day. Will we turn first thoughts to Him, spend time seeking the Lord through His word and prayer, saturating ourselves with truth, God’s perspective on work and relationships and character? Or will we burst out of the gate, driving our own set direction and pace, in our strength? Who leads our agenda and route?

Challenges and conundrums require alertness to pitfalls, wisdom, proper information and dress. If we skirt the Lord’s perspective, heed foreign voices, detour from obedience, refuse holy methods, or stubbornly insist on our own path, we will likely suffer loss.

Surrounded by the world’s death and destruction, why would we evade the Lord’s way to abundant life? Considering the door that is Jesus, and deliberately entering through Him every morning, for each appointment and interaction and effort, will yield rich pasture. Would I set aside sneaky detours, tend to rusty hinges, and realign with Him?

Lord, help me enter each day through the door that is You, to further Your will and magnify Your glory.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4

“‘Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end…’ He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:12-13,20-21

In the beginning, God was. He was active at the creation of all things, and upholds them still. He was and is present at every turning of season and awakening of day, each fresh page of the calendar. This One who has been from everlasting past will always be, eternally existent, infinitely constant, strong, good, and wise. From start of the scriptures to close, God’s story is told and His majestic eternity revealed, HIs eternity and eternal word bearing on our time and place in history.

At a time, date, and season of new beginnings, it is grounding to know that the almighty, heavenly Lord is first and last. He was before all time and anything that existed. He is the first cause of all that occurs, man’s raison d’etre, and our end. And He upholds the universe, in all its wrangling and uncertainties, by His power. Though we may fear uncertainties and insecurities ahead, He unfolds days and futures according to His sovereign will. Though we may be rocked by circumstances and unforeseen events, He is never surprised or out of control. Our charge at the new year is to trust Him! (Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:3)

Facing a clean schedule and anticipating all God has in store in a new year, we can be inspired to roar ahead with exciting plans and verve. Pausing to contemplate the eternal God who is our dwelling place and has set past and future will refine our viewpoint for the months and days ahead. How can we align our enthusiasm and determination with His good will? What habits will we set in place to remind us of His eternal plans, and keep us honing an eternal perspective? (Romans 12:1-2)

In light of the reality that God is our cause and end, that He is here and coming soon, what are our priorities for hours and days? What is our chief desire this new year? Who or what fuels our passions and sets our direction and determination? What doubts can we entrust to His wisdom, what hopes to His good plans, what cares to His everlasting arms? (Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Peter 5:7)

Eternal Lord, please set the schedule of my days and plans for the future to cause me to know You better, trust You more, and glorify You as You deserve.