God has clear vision of what's ahead

Do you face the New Year with apprehension? By that I mean, do thoughts come into your mind like: What will change for me this year? What difficulties and even losses will my family face? Will I be better off or will this year hit me with setbacks, both emotionally and physically?

Those questions would certainly cause anxiety while thinking about what is ahead for the New Year.

But remember that we are not alone when facing the unknown times ahead. Probably several characters had a certain amount of anxiety when they faced unknown times in their lives. Take the example of Abraham. God called out Abraham and he went. The Bible said he went even though he did not know where he was going. Abraham had to leave his country, his familiar surroundings, his kinfolk and his father's house. He had to give up so much to respond in faith to God's calling for his life.

Then there is Hannah. She was childless and poured out her heart to God in prayer for years and years. In time God answered her prayers and she had a son, Samuel, and he became a great judge in Israel. She trusted God with her future and was rewarded.

Think about Ruth. She left with her mother in law Naomi to go back to Naomi’s home country because their husbands had died. This great demonstration of faith on her part is what made the difference because neither of the women knew what the future held. The unknown must have been scary, leaving their country and going to a place that Ruth had never been. But because of God’s working in her life, Ruth married a godly man in the new country. Ruth is also one of the women listed in the lineage of Jesus.

What about Job? He lost all, everything. But he remained faithful to God through it all. He said these words: “The Lord giveth and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Notice that Job did not say “the Lord giveth, blessed be the name of the Lord.” But he had seen his life in ruins and he yet praised God. He never lost faith in God. In the end, all was restored to him.

Then consider Mary, a young girl engaged to be married who found that she would carry the son of God. She did not know if Joseph would leave her or not. But she was obedient and she accepted the word from the angel that God had chosen her to be the mother of the Christ child. Further, how about Joseph? He thought he was marrying a virgin and then suddenly it was revealed to him by God in a dream that she was carrying God's son? Did Joseph leave and run? Did he say “I have had enough of this?” No, he stayed and led Mary to safety and was dedicated to her.

But the end question is why should we trust God as we face the year 2018? Why God? Because God has attributes that are found in no other.

God is all powerful and can do anything. (Job 38:1-11) God is always present and his presence brings contentment. (Heb. 13:5) God knows everything and we can take him our concerns and questions. (Daniel 2:21) God is sovereign and he has a plan for us each of us. (Daniel 4:35) God is sovereign, no one, no leader or ruler compares to him. God is holy and there is no other like him. (1 Sam. 2:2). God is the only source of truth. (John 14:6) God is righteous. (Psalm 145:17) God is just and fair. (Psalm 51:4) God has power over death. (Rev. 1:18) God never changes. (Mal 3:6)

If we knew exactly what was ahead in life and what was involved, our obedience would not be born of faith. Faith is relaying on the one who loves us and the one who made us. Faith knows that our times are in God’s hands. Faith is the only way that we really get to know God and therefore know the peace of his power in our lives.

Not one of us can see into the future. Furthermore, life does not always work out as we planned. Yet, we can be thankful that God will lead us, if we let him. We don’t have a clear vision of 2018, but God does.

Judy Brandon is a Clovis resident. Contact her at: [email protected]