The Author
In the entrance to my house the first thing you will see when you walk in is a simple white picture frame. On it in bold black letters are the words: “I trust the next chapter because I know the author.” As we stand on the brink of the next year the temptation is to look backwards. It’s a common response. We use what we know of the past to predict the future.
Sports teams will watch “the tape” to see what opponents did in the past and know what they will do in the next game.
Stock brokers look at past indicators to see how the market will respond to make investments.
Historians say we learn from the past or we repeat the past.
We like to look backwards. We like to test things. We like it when we find predictable patterns.
God knows that is how we work, and so God rests His promises on what He has done, what He has done, is doing and thus you can trust what will happen.
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? – Numbers 23:19 (ESV)
So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. – Hebrews 6:18 (ESV)
As you read Scripture we are reminded of who God is. What He has done, and what He promises to do.
If you can trust those promises than you can be assured that the next chapter, the next year, is in good hands because they are God’s hands.
So as you prepare to say good bye to 2021 and all that it was and you look forward to 2022 and all that it might be I want to remind you of this simple truth:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
Happy New Year, and, as a good friend of mine keeps reminding us
Trust the promises.
-Pastor Dan