Starting a new year is always exciting for me. So much potential ahead. A clean slate. Anticipation for what God will do over the next twelve months. And so on.
Last night Melissa and I were at a party with some of our friends from Brownsville Baptist Church. To close out the night, Barry Phillips read to us from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotion. It was such a powerful perspective on looking behind for encouragement and surging forward as we follow Jesus. Here is the devotion entry. I hope it blesses you as you begin 2013.
1 Samuel 7:12
Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
The word "hitherto" seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, "hitherto the Lord hath helped!" Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honour, in dishonour, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, "hitherto hath the Lord helped us!" We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves; even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there no birds in yonder branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received "hitherto." But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes "hitherto," he is not yet at the end, there is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! there is more yet-awakening in Jesus' likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise thy "Ebenezer," for-
He who hath helped thee hitherto
Will help thee all thy journey through.
When read in heaven's light how glorious and marvellous a prospect will thy "hitherto" unfold to thy grateful eye!
Amen! Lord, lead us on into 2013 and give us faithful hearts to love you above all and follow you with eagerness and boldness!
JasonPS
JasonPS
(You can read this devotion and others here: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/morningandevening/morning-and-evening-12-or-29-am-550594.html )
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