What a year. It was terrible for many. Your dreams shattered. Maybe even your jobs, homes, health, or spirituality. These experiences have produced despair.
You are not alone. Others are with you, but you do not know them.
There is hope. This coming year will change things in your life. Somehow, someway, things will begin to improve. You probably will not notice the oncoming rays of change. Your clawing, pulling, pushing will consume all your energy.
Somewhere down the road of life, you will notice a difference in the scenery. You will then see things getting better, not like the way things used to be but, its improvement over your past despair. The waters are becoming clearer, not crystal clear, but more transparent.
It is probably at this point gratitude comes to light. You thank God for where you are and for where you have been. Somehow you see the spiritual side of life. Life is more than jobs, houses, and even health; it is about our relationship with God.
Daniel kept losing his job as each new ruler arrived on the scene. A couple build a room in which Elisha could lodge (II Kings 4:10). Hezekiah lost his health. Isaiah, the Prophet, told him he was going to die soon. But Hezekiah prayed and wept before the Lord. The Prophet returned and said, “God heard your prayer and has extended your life for 15 years” (II Kings 20:5,6).
These are some examples of hope. Whether or not our dreams come true, we need to realize God works things out for our good. Faithfulness to God is crucial no matter what life throws at us. Remember, He “will not allow you to be tempted” more than you can endure (I Corinthians 10:13). So be thankful that you were worthy to hear the gospel. It is more than we deserve.
Many in this world do not know the inner peace we have as believers. Jesus said He would never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He has kept His word. May we serve Him with thankful hearts as long as we have breath.
Thanks Frank for today’s thoughts on “You were counted worthy”.
Don’t know if you remember me but I still remember your kindness in paying for my lunch at Jason’s one Sunday last year.
A friend of mine in Latvia, in Eastern Europe has put together an amazing Bible app for our phones and made it available to the whole world for free!
I hope you can check it out. It will read the Bible to you in the course of a year with a youth and adult message for each days reading.
There is also commentary for each verse by touching it and several books he has written.
You can receive it at freebible.info
Grace and Peace to you in the coming year,
Tim Anderson