Many of us have a few quiet days after Christmas. This is a good time to rest. You may want to read something you have not had time to read or maybe a new book given you for Christmas. This is also an important time to think and pray.
As Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart, it is well to savor all that God has done for us, for you. As you think of your celebration of Christmas, you may remember things that did not go as you wished or as God desires. Was there a conflict in your family? Pray for the people involved. Pray for God to heal the rift. Do you need to forgive someone? Do you need to ask God's forgiveness? Do you need to struggle with repentance until you can rest in the luxury of His grace.
You may need to look back at the tumultuous year that is coming to a close. It should alarm us, and cause us to pray. Americans need to pray for our country. We need to pray for the world. But even in the midst of the turmoil we need to rest in God. He is sovereign even in the face of immorality, lies, terrorism, war, disruption of homes driving needy people across the world.
And while you are thinking and praying, ask God to show you what you need to be praying for the coming year. What is God calling you, us, to join Him in?
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Comments
That is wonderul, Malva. Thank you.
1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. NLT
David, the book "From the hood to the hill" by Barry C. Black (chaplain of the US Senate) is my choice this season. What an inspiring book! It is "a story of overcoming" and of "beating the odds and keeping the faith."
"So let's give God our best while we can" (p 124).
Sometimes reading a book can be restful and energizing at the same time. This book is one of those rare ones.
Maybe we look at the coming year with disquiet/trepidation, but what if God is looking at it with excitement about the wonderful things He is going to accomplish for us and through us? He is always creating and restoring ...
Dear God, what are Your plans for each of us this year? Please help us to work with You to fulfill Your purposes. Thank You for Your kindness and patience and power and provision. Give us courage and wisdom and Your extraordinary peace that guard our hearts and minds perfectly. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Isa 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! NLT