December 31st is an Occasion (David Jeremiah)

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid . . . for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

To many people, today's just another day; and to the Lord, it's but a passing instant. But for us, December 31st is an occasion to entrust the past to God's keeping and the future to His service.

In his final message to the Israelites, Moses told them to be strong, courageous, and mindful of God's presence as they crossed Jordan and entered the Promised Land. "He will not leave you nor forsake you," Moses said. The New Testament applies those words to us in Hebrews 11:5, so we can claim them as a promise of our own for the New Year.

God may have something new for you in 2008, but perhaps it seems foggy just now. Maybe your family isn't on board, or you don't have the details worked out. But remember: The Lord repeatedly led individuals into new territory in the Bible, and not once did He fail to show them the way. So be strong and of good courage. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

I am well, but weak; and for another year of service I need that the right hand of the Lord may be laid upon me, and that He should say to me, "Be strong: fear not." - Charles Spurgeon