“But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.” Deuteronomy 11:11-12 NIV
Dear Friends,
Come January 1 we will stand at the threshold of the unknown. Before us will lie a new year, and we will move forward to take possession of it. Who knows what we will find? What new experiences or changes will come our way? What new needs will arise? In spite of the uncertainty before us, we have an upbeat and comforting message from our Heavenly Father: “The Lord your God cares for it …the eyes of the Lord …are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.”
Our hope is in the Lord who is our source of supply. In him are the springs and streams that will never be cut off or run dry. To those who are anxious comes the gracious promise that His mercies will never fail us. “O give thanks to the Lord …For his mercies endureth forever.” Psalm 106:1 NKJV
Yet the land we are to possess is a land of mountains and valleys. It’s not all flat or downhill. Yet we need the hills and wilderness to collect the rain to produce fruitful valleys. And so it is with us! It’s the difficulty encountered on the steep, rocky slopes and in the deserts of life that drives us to the throne of grace and brings the showers of blessing.
We cannot see what loss, sorrow and trials are accomplishing. We need only to trust. Our Heavenly Father comes near to take our hand and lead us into the New Year. It will be a good and blessed New Year!
“He leads us on by paths we did not know: Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow, Though oft we faint and falter on the way, Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day; Yet when the clouds are gone, We know He leads us on.
He leads us on through all the unquiet years; past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears, He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze of losses, sorrows, and o’er clouded days; We know His will is done; And still he leads us on.” Nicholaus Ludwig Zinzendorf
May God richly bless you this New Year!
Blessings in 2012,
Rev. Lanny Mellinger
