THE LORD YOUR GOD CARRIED YOU, AS A MAN CARRIES HIS SON,
IN ALL THE WAY THAT YOU WENT UNTIL YOU CAME TO THIS PLACE”
(Deuteronomy 1:31).

As we get to the end of this year, I bless you to reflect on all the blessings God has poured out on you this last year. How many times did the Lord God carry you, as a man carries his son, when you could not get up from the pit into which you had fallen? How many times did He pull you through, when sadness threatened to take your life? How many times did He shine His Light on you, when you were crouching in darkness?

BUT YOU WILL NOT LEAVE IN HASTE
OR GO IN FLIGHT;
FOR THE LORD WILL GO BEFORE YOU,
THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL BE YOUR REAR GUARD”
(Isaiah 52:12).

As you stand before a brand new year, do not leave in haste or go in flight, but let the Lord God go before you into every new circumstance you will encounter.  Do not be afraid.  Agree to trust Him with all your heart, so you may know the Hope of His Calling for your life this coming year. Vow to get to know the Father of Glory, personally, so you may experience the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation.  Learn to depend on His Faithfulness, His Love, and His Holiness, so you may get to know the Riches of His Inheritance.  Make an effort to abide in His Truth, so the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened.  Strive to surrender your whole life to His Will during this next year, so you may come to know the exceeding greatness of His Power.

Then, He will go before you and He will also be your rear guard.

THAT THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF GLORY,
MAY GIVE TO YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION
IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM,
THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED,
THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING,
WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS,
AND WHAT IS THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER
TOWARD US WHO BELIEVE”
(Ephesians 1:17-19).

Think back through this last year and ponder what God has done for you and what He has taught you. Then, write your response to Him, thanking Him for His Love, Hope, and Truth that were available to you, every day, moment-by-moment, through the Blessings of the Lord Jesus.

PRAYER: I thank you, Father of Glory, for all the Blessings You poured out on my life, this last year. Thank you for all the times You carried me. Thank you for the many times the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, so I could see Your Truth, Your Power, and Your Love. I now follow You into this coming new year. To You be Glory, forever and ever. Amen.