Blessings for the New Year 2021

 

“…Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Return to Me,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘That I may return to you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”  Zechariah 1:3 NASB

 If we want peace with God, we must draw near to God, be obedient to His Word, and repent of our sin. The New Testament agrees: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). God judged Israel, not to vent His anger, but to bring the hearts of His people back to Him. Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.     Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible. page 1611.

    6Continue the daily reading on page 1614, Never Give Up, Psalm 147:12-18. Winston Churchill, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister during World War II, included a now-famous quote in a speech to students of his former school. ‘Never give in ̶ never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty… Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.’

   As Christians, we are called to wait on God until He acts on our behalf. In order to resist the urge to give up, we must no focus on our circumstances; rather we must focus on the power of the very One who protects us.

   Speaking about Moses, Hebrews 11:27 says, ‘He endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.’ Moses consistently looked for God and His will. Standing on the shore of the Red Sea while the Egyptians prepared to attack, Moses clung to God’s promise of protection and called out, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord’ Ex. 14:13). God parted the sea and the Israelites escaped what seemed to be an impossible situation. Moses triumphed over many dangerous and difficult situations because he was committed to doing God’s work and was focused on the Lord.

   Psalm 147:12-15 tells us, ‘Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem. . . He has strengthened the bars of your gates: He has blessed your sons within you. He makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the best of the wheat. His sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly,..’ God strengthens us, protects us, and provides whatever we need to serve Him ̶ no matter how dire the situation may appear or how vulnerable we feel.

   Too often, believers are distracted by their circumstances. When the Lord’s will calls us to step out in faith, we sometimes falter. But a genuine commitment to God with no exceptions means nothing can induce us to give up.

   Our unchanging Lord never deserts His children; He encourages us to cast our cares on Him (Heb. 13:5, 8; 1 Pet. 5:7) and to remember that although we may not see Him, He is continually working out His will (2 Cor. 4:16-18)

   Even now He is answering you, Even now He is sending out His command, and His word is running very swiftly on your behalf. Therefore, remember His power and faithfulness whenever you are tempted to quit. Put your faith in Him, cling to His promises, and commit to Hs way. Never give up! 

    Zachariah 13:1, Life Lesson (page 1629), God often uses a fountain to picture Himself as our source of salvation. As a fountain, He overflows with mercy and grace. As a fountain, He refreshes. And as a fountain, His love must be individually taken in. Water brings life, and living water brings eternal life. God calls Himself our spring of living water (Jer. 2:13); the Spirit is a stream of living water in us (John 7:38, 39), and His living water is ours forever (Rev. 7:17)