IT’S HERE: 2017 – an untried year! I know little about what is ahead but I know this much:
- We are hemmed in! His hand is on us. “You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways…You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:3, 5).
- What looks uncertain to us IS certain to God. “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
- My times are His. “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God; My times are in your hand’” (Psalm 31:14-15a).
Elizabeth Payson Prentiss wrote this poem for a friend in 1843. It was true then – it’s true now! Timeless.
With mingling hope and trust and fear
I bid thee welcome, untried year;
The paths before me pause to view;
Which shall I run and which pursue?
I read my fate with serious eye;
I see dear hopes and treasures fly,
Behold thee on thy opening wing
Now grief, now joy, now sorrow bring.
God grant me grace my course to run
With one blest prayer — His will be done.
– source: George Lewis Prentiss. More Love to Thee – The Life & Letters of Elizabeth Prentiss. (Amityville: Calvary Press, 1994) 76.
So I say: WELCOME, 2017! God has me.
I don’t usually comment, actually I have never commented online before but I am compelled to do so this morning. I thank you for sharing through “Prayer Pathway”, on Facebook and on this blog what God has shown and taught you regarding prayer. I discovered your book by listening to the most recent podcast of “These Go to 11”. From the little bit that I have read (purchased your book in iTunes) I am encouraged…I am hopeful as I look into 2017 with all the challenges it will bring…that through prayer and a reliance on Him for each day, one at a time, God has me as well….all will be well in Christ the Intercessor of my soul. I have read your blog posts and look forward to more. Thank you
Thank you so much for that encouragement, Fay! That was my first podcast – I was quite nervous. I’m praying for you RIGHT NOW that God will meet you on your path of prayer. He’s already there!