As the new year makes its entrance, a fresh breeze of possibilities and dreams fills the mind:
- Perhaps this year . . .
- Wouldn’t it be wonderful if . . .
- All things are possible with God, so . . .
But no sooner do I start finishing those statements with starry-eyed optimism, than some scratchy, irritating thoughts demand my attention. Thoughts such as:
- You’re too old, terribly unworthy, and under-qualified.
- You’ve already waited so long. Your desires obviously aren’t God’s desires for you.
- You’ve hopelessly veered from God’s plan; otherwise your life circumstances would surely be different.
And my heart cries out:
I need your Word, God, your Sword of the Spirit, to slay these lies. And though I am grateful for familiar sword-thrusts like Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, and Philippians 4:13 to wield against the untruths listed above, a few new moves would surely increase my resolve. “Strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28b).
And God seems to say:
“All right, Nancy, let’s look at each statement from my viewpoint.
“You are too old? Not so. Moses was eighty when he became the leader of the Hebrew nation, bringing them out of Egypt and into Canaan. Daniel served as prime minister in Babylon well past the age of eighty. John was quite elderly when he received the Revelation. Age has nothing to do with usefulness.
“You are unworthy? Also not so. You are one of My chosen people, a royal priestess, who belongs to Me, the King of the universe (1 Peter 2:9a). Like all My children, you are precious and honored in My sight because I love you (Isaiah 43:4).
“You are under-qualified? All the better for My purposes! My G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense) includes wisdom, power, strength, discernment, all spiritual gifts, all fruit of the Spirit, and more. My grace is more than sufficient for you; it’s all you need. In fact,“My strength comes into its own in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 MSG).
“You’ve waited too long? Think again. Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac. Joseph waited seventeen years for his dream to come true. Caleb waited 45 years for his special parcel of the Promised Land.
“You’ve veered from My plan for you? Please refer to Ephesians 1:11. Your singular purpose is to display My glory, that is, my attributes of love, joy, goodness, and more. Wherever you are . . . “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). And remember: small acts can achieve important results also.
“One closing thought to keep in mind: There is method and reason to every decree I have judiciously ordained since the beginning of time, to accomplish My will according to My sovereignty. I AM the Almighty, all-wise God, your Heavenly Father.”
* * * * * * * * * *
O God, help me to look toward 2024, not through the eyes of discouraging doubt but through the eyes of ever-increasing faith. And when I cannot understand, help me just to stand. In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen. *
* Based on a prayer from Selwyn Hughes in Every Day Light, 105.
Image credits: http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.pickpik.com.
(Revised and reblogged from 1-3-2013 while we enjoy the last couple of days with out-of-town family.)
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Love this, thank you!
I’m honored you found this post meaningful, John. Praise God for his inspiration!
When God calls, let us all answer, no matter how old we are, Nancy. I believe, with all my heart, that God never discards His servants, but continues to use them to His honor and glory.
Have a blessed 2024!
Amen, Martha! I think of elderly saints I’ve known in the past who could no longer serve God in physical capacities but spent hours of their days in prayer. No doubt when we get to heaven we’ll discover great and mighty things God accomplished as the result of their prayers!
Great thoughts as we move into 2024. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Linda. As always, I praise God for his inspiration!
A beautiful post to carry into this year. Thank you Nancy.
Thank you, Manu. How delightful you found beauty here. I praise God for his inspiration!
Amen. We trust our God who knows the end from the beginning.
Agreed, RH! There is such comfort in knowing our God is omniscient!
What a great perspective. Thank you! and love the prayer too.
Thank you, Jean. I’m so glad that prayer resonated with you too, my friend!
Marvelous post!!! Wishing you blessings in this New Year 2024!!! This is a post to come back to and read again…not only at the start of the year, but the whole year through. In scripture, we are called to encourage one another in our faith, and in our life journey. Thank you for sharing these uplifting and faith-filled posts…A New Year’s gift to everyone reading your blog!!!
Praise God you found uplift here, Linda. And thank you for your encouragement!
Thank you Nancy. Love your blogs. They always speak to my heart. Happy New Year to you and Steve.
Thank you Carolyn for your encouragement. May 2024 be filled with blessings for you–and perhaps include a visit up this way with J & N!
I love the acronym of GRACE. Also this: “… Sword of the Spirit, slay these lies…”. Thank you for the reminder of all 2024 can and will be for us Nancy, regardless of our circumstance. “Your royal priestess”… how very elegant 🙂
And royal priest (You’re one of them!)–how noble! Imagine: We ARE royals, as children of the King, and we ARE priests and priestesses as we serve and worship him. The honor he bestows on us as Christ-followers is truly mind-boggling!
I loved this post!!! So timely as I’ve seen so many fall lately as they believed the enemies lies instead of clinging to God’s truth and promises! So thankful for God’s Word… thanks for always including great verses of truth! ❤️
I’m so glad you found this post meaningful, Lisa. May we all seek and cling to truth as lies seem to bombard us from all sides!
Your scratchy, irritating thoughts sure ring a bell with me! But I love the Scriptures you chose to respond to your doubts. 🙂
Praise God for his Word! As the psalmist said: “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165). Hallelujah!
Nancy,
If the Lord is in it, it will come to pass.I pray you have a great 2024
In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Amen, Gary–thank you for that wise reminder!
We never get to old to need a blast of truth!
TT
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I like that word-choice of yours Michele: blast. Sometimes it takes the blast of a truth-trumpet for me to take note!
I’m thankful He can use us for His glory, at all seasons of life and all scenarios.
Amen, Alicia. You’ve brought to mind my father-in-law, a hard worker who served God all his life. But in his 90s he felt spent and useless. My husband asked him, “Are you still praying, Dad?” Of course, he answered yes. “There’s no doubt then you’re still achieving great things for God,” S. assured his father. As a matter of fact, one day we may be surprised to learn just how MUCH good was accomplished through the prayers of elderly saints!
Yes you are so right! That could make a beautiful post!
I purchased a used book for my daughter last year and I remember finding a “book marker” in it, which was actually a prayer list written by a grandma and on that list was a cry to God over her grown grandchildren that though they’ve hurt her heart with their evil ways God may get their attention after all. 😢Praying she got to (or will get to) see that prayer come to fruition. 🙏🏻
Oh my. That’s heartbreaking. I pray the same, that her prayer came to fruition!
With the Lord’s help and blessing I am entering into this new year with a positive attitude and thankful spirit. Thank you so much, Nancy, for your dedication to writing these blogs every week. They have been a real blessing to me.
And thank you, Cheri, for being such a faithful, encouraging reader all these years! Praise God for a positive attitude and a thankful spirit as 2024 begins. May we strive to keep the momentum going!
I love the way that you have just told your story, Nancy. You haven’t told me what I ought to believe, think or do (God’s more than capable of doing that!) One of the lessons that I’m learning is just to tell my story – and let God do the rest.
Thank you for your encouragement, Malcolm. And thank you for the reminder that God is capable of handling “the rest.” Hallelujah for our caring, proficient Heavenly Father!
Nancy – this is a needed reminder to recalibrate our thoughts to be in line with who God says we are and what He says about our plans and thoughts. The enemy wants us to feel like losers, like we’re washed up and useless.
But our Creator knows better. He’s got plans for us …
Indeed, the Lord has plans for us that include every day of our earthly lives–and beyond. Thank you, Linda!
As I have aged, I have realized that it is true that I cannot do what I once did. But I have also come to understand that I am never too old to be used of God. There are seasons in our life and each one is different. But God can and will use us in each season as we remain open to His guidance and trust in His strength. Happy New Year!
AMEN, Barb!
All we need for our encouragement and to increase our faith is found in God’s Word – and you have so beautifully shown us that, Nancy. None of my flimsy arguments can stand up to what God says. Thank you for this gem today! I’m so glad I finally have the time to catch up on your blogs. Always worthwhile!
Praise God you found encouragement here, Patty. And thank you for back-tracking to read these older posts. I’m honored you find the blog worthwhile!
Your blog is absolutely worthwhile! Blessings, Nancy.
Thank you, Patty! 🥰