The Storm… The Choice

You will be a crown of splendour in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. (Isaiah 62:3)

As we look back over our spiritual journey of 2023, some will reminisce with rejoicing while others will reminisce with regret. However, whatever the path you have walked in 2023, a new year has dawned for you with the opportunity to become something of beauty in God’s sight, in fulfilment of the promise set forth in Isaiah.
 
If this is your desire, here are a few principles that can help you:

1.   Make Bible Reading a habit. Dwight L. Moody said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”
2.   Make Church Attendance a priority. “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do.” (Hebrews 10:25)
3.   Make Obedience a way of life. “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19)
4.   Live an Outward Focused Life. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
5.   Learn to Pray.  “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (Luke 5:16)
 
NOTE: The NIV Study Bible tells us that 'The Greek verb tense indicates that Jesus habitually withdrew for prayer.' It was His habit to withdraw. Is it our habit to withdraw and pray? There are so many things that lure us away from prayer. So many things to entice us, to distract us. Are you easily distracted from prayer?
 
All of the above help transform us into a ‘crown of splendour’ but there is something else we must do. We must learn to ride out the storms. 

O storm-battered city, troubled and desolate! I will rebuild you with precious jewels. (Isaiah 54:11)  

You can make a choice to “manage not to be destroyed, harmed, or permanently affected by the difficult situation you experience.”(Cambridge Dictionary). You allow the tempest to drive you into a deeper place of trust and reliance upon God. You mediate upon God, and, even in the midst of being ‘storm-battered’, you ‘behold (His) face in righteousness’ (Psalm 15:17).  You decide just not to give in. You decide to trust Him. 
 
On New Year’s morning 1892, a month away from his death, Spurgeon said these words “Let me tell you, in a few words, what I see as I look into the new year.” He then went on to speak about 

·      God’s Sovereignty
·      God’s Guidance
·      God’s Strength 
·      God Glorified
 
Keep your eyes on these things and you can ride out any storm that assails you in 2024.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Cor 3:18)

 Happy New Year to you all.
 
Pauline Ann Anderson