Rejoice and Be Glad
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12
Is there anyone else who is astounded that today is January 1, 2010? Just where in the world did 2009 go? As always, the New Year brings promises of new beginnings, new resolutions and new diets. I have only 7 more months to enjoy being 35 and crossing that threshold to….. beyond 35. It seems as I get older, the time goes by more quickly.
2009 was full of ups and downs. I was blessed beyond measure to go on my first mission trip which I wrote about here. That had to be one of the highlights of 2009 for me (and I can hardly believe it is going on 1 year since I went)! On the downside my husband lost his job in June and we are now going on 7 long months of unemployment for him. To finish off the year, my husband ended up in the emergency cardiac unit for a possible heart attack and a $30,000 hospital bill our already expensive COBRA plan is refusing to pay.
In all honesty, 2010 scares me a bit. I am entirely unsure of what this coming year holds. Between my husband still being out of work, the economic downturn, health concerns and the changes taking place in Washington, there are times I feel overwhelmed. Yet I know through the study of God’s Word that He is still in ultimate control. I also know that it is in these times of trials and suffering that our faith is tested. I can be sure people are watching to see if my faith can and will sustain me. My ultimate hope is to face this coming year trusting God and doing everything to His glory.
I recently found comfort In John MacArthur’s devotional book. In this book, MacArthur talks about the Reason for Gladness. He explains that Jesus gives us two reasons for gladness:
“First, He (Jesus) says, “Your reward in heaven is great.’ Whatever we do for the Lord now, including suffering for Him-especially suffering for Him-“reaps eternal dividends.
“Second, we are to rejoice because the world “persecuted the prophets who were before” us in the same way that it persecutes us. Persecution is a mark of our faithfulness just as it was a mark of the prophets’ faithfulness.”
While 2010 may bring challenges, trials and even persecution (I am already hearing the “where is your God” comments), I can be sure that none of them are taking the Lord by surprise. He knows each and every thing that we – me and you – will face in 2010 and because of that I can learn to live by Faith and not by fear. It isn’t always easy but as I face the new year, I want to face it with one of certain faith in our living and active God. So instead of unrealistic new year’s resolutions, I plan to aim at a very do-able goal – learn to trust in God’s sovereignty and believe what He says in His word.
Happy New Year to everyone. May God’s richest blessings be poured out on you and your families in 2010!
It is so thought to keep going is all the challenges we are facing. But God is faithful and we can lean on Him to see us through.
Thank you for sharing from your heart today. Happy 2010.
May 2010 be a deep gift of beautiful blessings for you and your family!!!
Happy New Year to you. We don’t know about the year but we know Who does know.
“I plan to aim at a very do-able goal – learn to trust in God’s sovereignty and believe what He says in His word”
Trust me, I haven’t seen such a lovely and a mighty resolution like this. This is my prayer too, to trust Him, Him ALONE. And I am waiting to see you, next year this time, thanking / testifying Him renewing and rebulding all of our hopes. Wishing you for the same. Much in God’s love, Rosy.