“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
Another year has dawned! The inevitable has happened because times and seasons usher in change. We do not control time, yet it is at our disposal morning, noon and night. What we make of this gift is our total responsibility. We must be mindful of the fact that though time is essential and important, yet its character is fleeting. A common adage puts it this way: ‘Time and tide wait for no man.’
Life is a string of perpetual transformation beginning at birth and ending at death - going through childhood and adulthood - that sometimes catches us unawares. For this reason, we find ourselves constantly making deliberate efforts to keep up with the pace. There is no gainsaying that time is in the hands of our Maker; He who sustains the universe. In fact, the whole world is in His hands.
The year 2022 may be for you the break of dawn, the light at the end of the tunnel or a mere chasing after the wind. The kind of lens one would use to read the times matters a great deal. These are perilous times; to say that the world is experiencing turbulence is an understatement. “Know this also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” (2 Timothy 3:1) However, there is nothing that should frighten humanity; God’s early warning system predicted this turn of events. The signs are visible. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof:” (2 Timothy 3:2-5) It ends with; “from such turn away.”
The warning is clear. We live in the end-times. It is not time to accumulate excessive wealth – far be it. It is a time to come closer to our God, to worship Him in spirit and in truth. It is the time to ask of Him: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See whether there is any offensive way in me and lead me to the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) This is a time for sober reflections and spending quality time in prayer seeking the face of the Lord and standing in the gap for others.
The Bible assures us that this world is not our home; we are just passing through. Unfortunately, many people are behaving as if they would sojourn here indefinitely. Our Lord Jesus draws our attention to the fact that He has prepared a place for us in His Father’s mansion. “In my Father’s house are many rooms: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you … I will come back and take you to be with me; that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd that takes care of the sheep and His sheep shall lack nothing. (Psalm 23:1) My humble plea to you, dear Reader, is that in 2022 you fix your eyes on Jesus “who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.” “In Him we live and move and have our being.” He promises “Never to leave us, nor forsake us.” He said He will be with us to the end of age. What more assurances do we need?
Let us look at the New Year based on the Word of God and what He is capable of accomplishing on our behalf. Through the writings of prophet Isaiah, God confirms: “Remember you not the former things, neither the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I WILL MAKE A ROAD IN THE WILDERNESS AND RIVERS IN THE DESERT.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Do not put God in a mould for “He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we may hope or think of.” (Ephesians 3:20) God’s hand is not short as some people think. God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient. He is the same yesterday, today and for ever. He lives in three time zones. God will work His purpose out for us in 2022 no matter what comes our way. He brought down the mighty walls of Jericho (enemy territory) with a shout. What could He not do? It will require an unshakeable faith comparable to mount Zion which cannot be moved.
Look to no other! The Word of God warns of the devil posturing as a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (that cannot be you). The modus operandi is for you to resist him and he will flee. Use Scripture as your shield to deflect his weapons of warfare. Stay firm and resolute and remain in prayer. Prayer provides you with the tools to speak to your mountains or difficulties to give way.
So, dear Reader, I urge you to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The Lord has a lot in store for you. Let His Presence go before you throughout 2022 to guide you through the labyrinths of life and protect you through the maze of arrows that the devil will throw at you! Amen.
Lord you are my refuge and strength, a present-help in time of trouble!
