Verse For 2022~~~ Isaiah 26:3

 I’m not sure how or when it came to me, but somewhere in the past couple of weeks I knew that my word for the year would be ‘Trust’.  What else could it be? This past year has definitely been a reminder to me that the only way to get through each day is to trust in God. This world and our lives are in his hands, so what else can we do but to trust that he has a plan in everything we go through? 

As I contemplated what I should write today, I was reminded of something I learned shortly after I came to know Jesus as my Saviour back in 1985. We’d begun home schooling out kids and in one of Dana’s Bible study books the lesson was on the account of Joseph’s life in Genesis. I think I may have gotten more out of that lesson than Dana did! It made such an impression on me as a baby Christian that years later I included it in my book. 

Who would have thought that God had a part in Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery? I’m sure when he was going through it all, even Joseph didn’t understand why all these things were happening to him, but he remained faithful to God nonetheless. It took many years before God’s plan became evident, but in Genesis 45:8a Joseph tells his brothers, “so, now it was not you that sent me hither, but God:” God had a plan for Joseph’s life, even though it meant he would have to endure pain and suffering. It’s so comforting to know that no matter how confusing, or how difficult the circumstances of my life may be, God is in control. 

I also read a quote from Charles Spurgeon’s message, A Happy Christian.

“And you, friend, when you are in good full work, and wages are high, and the house is well-furnished, and the cupboard is full, it is very easy then for you to kneel down at family-prayer and thank God for his kindness; but how about it when the husband is sick, when the funds have got very low, and when the little children look at their father wondering where the next meal will come from — to be satisfied even then that it is all right! Oh this is a grand thing! This is just the mark of difference between the Christian and the worldling. The worldling blesses God while he gives him plenty, but the Christian blesses him when he smites him: he believes him to be too wise to err and too good to be unkind; he trusts him where he cannot trace him, looks up to him in the darkest hour, and believes that all is well. O Christian, if your heart is right, you will understand this spiritual satisfaction, and your soul will be satisfied in times of drought.”

As I thought about these things, I came across this verse that seems to best portray what I want my focus to be in the coming year:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

There’s also a song based on Spurgeon’s words. It’s been a favourite for years, so I thought I’d include it.

Trust His Heart

https://youtu.be/XWk8DRwDYDc