Peasant Woman on her Knees by Daniel Ridgway Knight
Somehow the ‘New Year’ multiplies the fears of many people. We’re afraid we’re going to have to face something we don’t understand, and we’re going to have to face it alone. But, there are many reasons to conclude that we are not alone in our journey once we come to Christ Jesus as our Savior!
You Are Not Alone
There are many companions that He has given to accompany us.
First, there is the person of Jesus Christ Himself. He gave Himself up to death so that we might live. He is our guiding Shepherd. He is our faithful Friend. He intercedes and pleads on our behalf before the throne of the Father.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” ~Deut. 31:8
Second, there are the saints that have gone before us and “surround” us!
Some were martyred like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Perpetua and Blandina, Polycarp, and Ignatius.
Also, David, John the Baptist, Noah, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, Susannah Wesley, Corrie Ten Boom, and many departed family and friends who died in the Lord.
Untold numbers ~a great cloud~ are watching, we are told:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” ~Hebrews 12:1
And third, He has sent us guardian angels, invisible, but real!
To learn more about heavenly angels from a biblical teacher Erwin Lutzer (quite amazing truths), go here and start at 14:35 on the audio.
The Annunciation by John William Waterhouse
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” ~Hebrews 1:14
Finally, you are not alone because you are with those who are alive now at this same time in history. Our brothers and sisters in the Lord are exhorting each other and sharpening each other as ‘iron sharpens iron’. While they (and we) are not perfect, we have been given a community of fellow believers. Not everyone who claims to be a ‘Christian’ is one. Look for the fruit of the Spirit in their lives as a way to guide you.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” ~Galatians 5: 22-24
A Special Moment by Emile Munier, 1874
“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Rom. 8:16,17
So, do not be dismayed that you don’t know what this next year will bring. Trust, rather, that our Lord has good plans for you and that you are not alone. Our field of vision is finite; His is from the East to the West. Our ways are corrupted; His ways are perfect. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” ~ Jeremiah 29: 11-13
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I am very excited for what the Lord is showing me for the new year! Please come back and join me for growing hearts at home, gardening and healthy-living tips, plus wonderful recipes with a goal of also being healthy. And don’t forget that I love to share the beauties of creation whenever I can capture something wonderful on camera.
“Therefore my heart is GLAD, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.” ~ Psalm 16: 9
Rebecca Ann
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and Scriptures on the new year ahead! I have struggling with feeling alone, but I know that my Lord Jesus is right beside me. Thank you for a great year of encouragement from your blog as well.
Sarah
Thank you for this…It’s very encouraging and enlightening – especially about the cloud of witnesses…It makes me imagine them cheering us on as we stumble forward to the finish line. Thank you for your site, it’s such a blessing in my life. God bless you!
Gayle
This was a fitting post for me today. Yesterday we went for a New Year’s drive into the mountains and decided to drive towards Mt. Rainer National Park. I kept seeing police flying by us and then military style jeeps flying by. I finally encouraged my husband to go no further into the woods and turn around, something terrible was happening. When we got home, we learned the tragic story of the gunman loose on the mountain with assault weapons who shot and killed a young ranger. People who had gone into the park were now on lockdown and couldn’t leave. Last night I felt so anxious, with thoughts racing like “What is happening in our country when we can’t even go into the woods? Things are getting so dangerous in the world” and thoughts like that. So today’s scripture were soothing to my soul and fears.
Sara Shay @ YourThrivingFamily
So I read this yesterday, but was going through the link up today making sure I had read everyone’s. Can I just tell you when I clicked on this tab it brought a smile to me face!
Dana Adams
How sweet are your encouraging words Jacqueline! It was such a difficult year for so many, ourselves included! We thank the Lord for walking with us and those we love! Thanks for your sweet comforting post! Blessings!
Jacqueline
Dana, It has been a difficult year; here included. I have seen us being stretched and the growth it brings once we see our need in Jesus in any given area.
Surrender is the desired goal, I think! It’s comforting to know we don’t go it alone unless we chose to.