Looking Ahead to 2016

Sunday morning a friend called. "I'm suppose to preach this morning and I've been sick all night. Would you pray?" I prayed briefly on the phone and continued praying for him after hanging up.

As I prayed, I remembered what I had been reading in the Old Testament. Repeatedly it said that the "Lord gave David victory everywhere he went" (1 Chronicles 18:6, 13). God encouraged me to believe that in this situation the Lord would give victory. God would accomplish His purposes either through healing my friend or through whatever higher purposes He might have. When we are in God's will, we never need to experience defeat. We can trust that there will be no exceptions to God's ability and desire to perform His will through us.

It is the same as we look forward to a new year. When I look ahead all I can see is God--God providing all I need in every conceivable situation. No matter what happens God will be there and He is all I need. What a rest this knowledge brings to my spirit.

When we are at rest in God, we are able to fully trust Him to care for us in the future as He has in the past. We declare with William Carey, "The future is as bright as the promises of God."

Thank You, Father, that You teach us to rest in the knowledge that You will richly supply all our needs in Your perfect timing.

"Casting the whole of your care-all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all-on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully" (I Peter 5:8 Amplified).

"Thanks be to God who always gives us the victory" (I Cor. 15:57).