It was time for God’s people to enter the long-awaited “Promised Land.” After 40 years of wilderness wandering, the Lord directed Joshua to lead the congregation—through 12 ark-bearing priests—through the overflowing river of Jordan. How could this be? Well, when the priests’ feet hit the water and went into it, God would command the waters of the flooded Jordan to stand at attention on either side while the people marched through on dry land. The secret was that they would need by faith to go “into” the river; and God would do the rest, so that they would come “out of” the river on the other side, all with dry feet! (Josh. 3:13,15,16)
As we look into the swollen waters of the year ahead, we might be wondering, “how can I ever make it from this side of the heaped waters of life that loom largely ahead of me, to the other side, intact?” The answer: by faith, one step at a time, just as did the Israelites of old.
Contemplating the New Year, I want to share with you some thoughts that have inspired me through the years. Nothing original here, on my part, but this pool of assembled wise thoughts have buoyed me time and again—and do now, as I face another new beginning at the age of 82.
“I said to the man at the gate of the New Year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light, and safer than a known way.’” (Selected)
“Another year I enter, its history unknown; Oh, how my feet would tremble, to tread its paths alone! But I have heard a whisper; I know I shall be blest: ‘My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.’” (Evangelical Christian)
“I cannot be afraid; He has not once my trust betrayed, nor will He now, though bombs should fall till death’s dust settles over all. He loves me and keeps the soul He made; I cannot be afraid.” (Martha Snell Nicholson)
“He does not lead me year by year, nor even day by day; But step by step my path unfolds; my Lord directs my way. What need to worry then, or fret? The God who gave His Son holds all my moments in His hand, and gives them one by one.” (Barbara C. Ryberg)
“Another year is dawning! Dear Master, let it be, in working or in waiting, another year for Thee. Another year in leaning upon Thy loving breast, of ever-deepening trustfulness, of quiet, happy rest. Another year of service, of witness for Thy love; another year of training for holier works above. Another year is dawning! Dear Master, let it be on earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee!” (Francis Ridley Havergal)
And, from the writer of “Amazing Grace,” John Newton:
“The year we have now passed through, His goodness with blessings has crowned; Each morning His mercies were new, then let our thanksgivings abound. Encompassed with dangers and snares, temptations, and fears, and complaints; His ear He inclined to our prayers, His hand opened wide to our wants. How well it becomes us to cry, ‘Oh, who is a God like to Thee? Who passeth iniquities by, and plungeth them deep in the sea!’ Assist us, we pray, to lament the sins of the year that is passed. And grant that the next may be spent far more to Thy praise than the last.” (Olney Hymns)
“What shall I wish thee? Treasures of earth? Songs in the springtime, pleasures and mirth? Flowers in thy pathway, skies ever clear? Would this insure thee a happy new year? What shall I wish thee? What can be found? Bringing the sunshine all the year round? Where is the treasure, lasting and dear, that shall insure thee a happy new year? Faith that increaseth, walking in light; Hope that aboundeth, happy and bright; Love that is perfect, casting out fear—Those shall insure thee a happy new year. Peace in the Savior, rest at His feet, smile in His countenance, radiant and sweet; Joy in His presence, Christ ever near—this will insure thee a happy new year.”(Havergal)
And, from J. Sidlow Baxter: “On the first day of the (tenth) month were the tops of the mountains seen.” (Gen.8:5) “This verse has a unique application to the first day of a new year. The ‘tenth month’ here corresponds with our January, so the ‘first day’ is our January first. What an exhilarating discovery were those uncovered mountains that first day! The flood was declining. God had not forgotten to be gracious.
“Those mountain tops speak to us on the first day of this year. What will the new year bring of joy or sorrow, achievements or frustrations, health or sickness, good or ill? We cannot foresee what darksome vales or verdant plains or surprise vistas the unfolding months may unveil. Yet if we are truly Christ’s, we are not in total obscurity. Up from the unknown, misty morrows, certain grand securities stand out in advance view.
“Some of the Lord’s people live, as it were, in the basement of the ark, in the twilight of a faith which is never quite sure. They lie against the ribs of the ship, hearing the thud of the waters, and nervously asking whether the ark can survive the strain…this is a joy-killing suspense. Fellow believer, as the new year comes in, climb the ark! Gaze out from the higher places, with ‘assurance of faith.’ Lo, the ‘tops of the mountains!’”
Good Advice, all! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
“Yet there shall be a space between you and it…that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people: Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Josh. 3:4,5)
YOU and GOD 