As we leave the old year and enter the new, we are hoping and praying that, in the natural, things will get better.  Certainly, 2020 was a year of challenges for us, as a nation and individually.  I know it was for Donna and I.  We have dealt with a lot of changes and struggles that have caused stress or anxiety.  We have had the catastrophe concerning a possible "stolen" election which could possibly change forever the fundamental existence of our nation, covid 19 with all of it's ramifications, i.e. quarantines, school closings, business closings, shopping and traveling restrictions, the loss of honesty - even in our medical field, where covid 19 deaths have been inflated for financial gain, news casts have now become propaganda, pushing agendas rather than reporting facts, and the worst, the loss of lives.  Yes, it has been a difficult year.  For us, the hardest challenge was working through the grief of losing six friends and/or family members since the end of May (two from covid).

 Even though there have been many struggles in the natural realm, spiritually, I know beyond a shadow of doubt, that I serve a Faithful God!  My God has carried me through it all.  In fact, He has blessed me through it all.  The Lord has provided everything I have needed.  I have not lacked food, water, shelter, or even toilet paper!  (Sorry, just had to put that in there.)

 Psalm 119:90 reads, "Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides."

 1 Corinthians 1:9, "God is faithful (trusty, abiding by His promises), by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

 Read Deuteronomy 7:9 with me, "Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful (trustworthy, sure, such that anyone can lean upon) God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments."  What an amazing Word!  As children of God, we strive to live a life full of integrity.  We desire to have the words of our mouth be "yes".  As hard as we try though, there have been times when we have not been able to deliver on our promises.  The car breaks down, a child becomes ill, an accident or the weather blocks our way....  However, thank God, His unfailing love and mercy are constantly available and present!

 I have heard a number of people saying, "Well, I am glad 2020 is over, maybe next year will be better."  The truth, at this point in time is that, the challenges of 2020 are still with us, and there is a possibility they will get even worse, for a time.

 So, what do we do?

 I know for certain we cannot put our trust in man.  Let us see what the Word says on the matter.   Psalm 20:7 and 8, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright."  Psalm 40:4, "Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies."  Proverbs 29:25 reads, "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."     Then, Psalm 118:8 and 9 tells us boldly, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."

 The government is, without a doubt, not going to help or save us.  The president, whoever he may be, is not out savior.  A lot of our leaders in industry and education have fallen into worldliness and liberalism.  Many of our national leaders have fallen to our enemy, satan, and have plans to destroy our nation.  Even some Christian leaders have been deceived and turned away from the truth and precepts of God and His Word.  When only 16 % of all evangelicals claim to have a Biblical-world-view, the church leaders have failed to make disciples. 

 The good news is that we have One, whom we can absolutely trust: One who is absolutely faithful!

 In Psalm 31:1 and 2, King David declared, " In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me."

 Knowing that the Word of God is true and His will, you can receive great comfort and courage from Psalm 37:1-11, "Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."  When we trust in the Lord, we will dwell in the land, be fed, and have an abundance of peace. 

 Proverbs 3:5 and 6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

When we trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and rely on His wisdom, He shall direct out paths.  Only the Lord can direct us successfully through the maze of life.  To "trust" according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance here, means - to set one's hope and confidence upon.  Webster's Dictionary defines "trust" as a firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability and justice of another.

 There is a way to have and live in peace in the midst of all the challenges and struggles of the times we are presently living through.  That way is described in Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." 

 Hebrews 10:35 and 36, "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise."

 So friends, in this new year, 2021, put your trust in the only One who can direct your path, save you, give you peace and who keeps His promises.  Put your trust in our Faithful God!

 Have a happy New Year!