The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 1:24-26 (NLT)
24 "I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.
26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—
Proverbs 1:33 (NLT)
33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm."
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 5:1-3 (NLT)
1 O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV)
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
My observation:
Today we come to the fourth of five reasons why we who look to God for answers need not fear as we face the New Year.
Today's topic is "The Comfort of His Power". I am so thankful for the provisions, the presence, the promises, and the protection of the Lord in my life. The poet spoke for me in the words of the familiar hymn, "Where would I be without the Lord on my side".
The words of the writer of Hebrews should give us not only comfort, but it should also give us confidence. The answer to greed and fear is trust in the Lord. When you know that God is in control you don't have to fear. The antidote for fear is to change your focus. If you focus on your circumstances you will tend to fear. However, if you focus on the Lord, and His promises, you will have no reason to fear. God has always been faithful to His people.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Hebrews 13:6 (ESV)
6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the comfort and confidence I enjoy when I live my life with the focus upon my God, and not upon my circumstances. Father, when the circumstances of my life go south this year, I will look to the Lord, who is the source of my help. Father God, by faith, I will rely upon Your faithfulness to protect me, and to deliver me from all my fears.
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1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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