Lamentations 3:22-24
The changing of the year gives us time and opportunity to contemplate the past while anticipating the future. Perhaps you have already taken time to do it, but even now slow down a minute and think of how God has moved in and around your life this past year. We live in a society that tends to forget the past good and focus on today’s problems while ignoring the future.
It is a tough balance in life; we are told in Matthew 6:34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” At the same time, we are told to, “6 Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, 7 which, having no chief, officer or ruler, 8prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” We are encouraged not to worry about tomorrow, while still preparing our food for the lean times. I am glad that God has given us work for today that helps us prepare for tomorrow, not worrying about what will go wrong, but trusting in God’s sovereign plan.
I often think about what the future may bring, not out of a sense of fear, rather in the sense of how we can get there. I like to plan and prepare for what may come and what needs to be done next. In this planning and execution, I know there will be failures, I know it won’t always go according to my plan, but it will go according to God’s plans. His plans include teaching and leading His people to a deeper relationship with Him. Praise God that He is in control.
What were the hardest things you dealt with this past year? Do you notice how they tend to come to the forefront? What about the best things? Are they harder to remember? God is with us in the good and bad, let us mark His work in our lives and in the lives of people around us. God’s people were called to gather 12 stones when crossing the Jordan river to mark God’s provision in parting the river as seen in Joshua 4. God called His people to remember.
Remember God’s work, bring it to mind when the future seems to be overwhelming or your goals too preposterous. The past faithfulness of God is something to remind you of when you question your future. God’s work is great and He is concerned for the details of your life. Turn your concerns for the day over to Him, remember His work in your life and give Him the glory as you prepare for the future.
Lamentations 3:22-24 proclaim:
22 The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him."
This year make it your resolution to remember the provision of God through your life, share God’s work with others as a mark of His faithfulness, and put your hope in His future work.