Comfort for the Journey

‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’ ISAIAH 41:10 AMP

Another year is winding down, and another is knocking at the door. It has been an odd year, economically and financially. So many things have happened to test the quality and depth of our faith and dependence on God, but no matter what happens around us, one thing is clear: God's grace is not tied to our proper behaviour but to his own nature. His promises are Yes and Amen because he is the Amen, not because we have earned or deserved the blessings. That is the focus of today's extract.

God says: "Do not fear". Strange words considering the times we are in, but then, what would you believe: the facts that surround you or the Truths of God that are  eternal? Whoever tells me not to fear has got to give me strong reasons for that advice. What reasons does God give? What follows is his CV. First of all, he introduces himself;  he calls himself GOD. That word summarises his name, his nature, his power, his might, his wisdom, his grace, his mercy and so much more. He goes ahead to tell me what he can do. He promises strength, he promises help, he promises to hold me with his right hand. These are no ordinary words. Recall Samson? Ordinary hair gave him extraordinary strength. It was not just about the hair, but about the power backing him up. Recall Joseph? Went to sleep one night as a prisoner and went to bed the next night as a Prime Minister? Recall Samaria at a time of hunger, when mothers were taking turns to eat their children, in just one day, God turned famine into overabundance. Daniel in the land of exile knew nobody except God, and God came through for him. The three Hebrew men knew nobody else in the fire and God came through for them. He holds us up when the world lets us down. He bears us up when everything else around us is falling to pieces.

Check out the definition of his right hand: it is a hand of justice, power, victory and salvation. As I take stock of this outgoing year, there is no doubt that God has come through for me. There have been dangers averted, disasters diverted, and troubles dissolved. Even when they came on me like a flood, his Presence was never absent. He didn't say I would have it all smooth; he only promised me his never-failing presence. When I consider that I cannot help myself, I will depend solely on God's Right hand. When I know I do not have the faintest idea about what tomorrow holds, I will trust his wisdom and power. When everything around me is sinking sand, I will depend on God who alone can sustain and uphold. Ultimately, salvation is his greatest gift, because through it, I enjoy every other blessing that has been promised.

What would it be for you? I have decided to trust completely in God, because I have seen him at work in and around me. He has always proven himself as God in my life, so I am rest assured that beyond 2016, his hand will hold me up and sustain me through all of life's journeys. That is for me; what would it be for you? His time of favour is here.