Happy New Year!

Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

James 4:13, 14a, 15, "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money. Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow........" Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

We are facing a brand new year, and not a single one of us knows what is in store for us in 2011. We could be worried, apprehensive, about the future. But there is One who not only knows our future but holds it in His hands. He is sovereign; He loves us; He has a plan for our lives at all times; and He has promised to guide us if we are willing to yield to Him. There is that very familiar passage in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

As we look back on 2010, we will probably all remember some events which we enjoyed and other events that were sad or difficult. With hindsight we can usually trace the hand of God through all the different kinds of circumstances.

We have God's wonderful promise in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." So if we are yielded to God, He will cause even our most difficult and unpleasant circumstances to turn out for our good and His glory. The rub comes in the definition of "good." I would define my good as comfort, convenience, ease, pleasure. God defines my good as the development of such attributes as character, compassion, patience, perseverance, and faith. Sometimes the greatest challenges we face result in the greatest character development. So it's wonderful to know that our times are in God's hands, according to Psalm 31:15, that God loves us and will cause whatever happens to turn out for our best.

The hymn writer called God "our help in ages past, our hope for years to come." Just as God has been faithful to love us and lead us in the past, He will surely do so in this coming year. Someone has well said, "Don't fear the future. God is already there." Walking with Him day by day, yielded to His will and guided by His Spirit, is life's greatest adventure. So, I wish you a wonderful, God-directed Happy New Year.

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the gift of time, of this new year. May I not waste it but spend it under Your direction for Your glory. Amen.