Morning by Morning, December 31 - Reflecting on 2020: "If It Had Not Been the Lord Who Was On Our Side...."
Good morning, Lord Jesus. As we come to the close of this year, I thank You for drawing me closer to You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
--let Israel now say--
--let Israel now say--
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
the raging waters.
Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!" (Psalm 124:1-8)
who made heaven and earth!" (Psalm 124:1-8)
As I reflect on this past year of 2020:
My struggles and failures do not define me.
Coronavirus certainly does not rule and reign over me.
Financial crisis, emotional turmoil, maddening questions
do not identify or overcome me.
Even the intensive spiritual war for the soul of my nation,
with all its challenges to faith and conviction of heart
has not overwhelmed me or silenced me.
But all that I been through, all that I've endured, along with all that I've seen and hoped and believed, has only served to draw me closer to You than I've ever been.
Despite all I've seen, I still believe --
I believe even more strongly, more intensely, more passionately, more hopefully that You are God and You are good and You are with us in the battles, moving in the Spirit, in ways we don't always see and working of Your ways we don't always know.
You are here. You are with us. You are within us.
"Christ in (us), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
It's Your glory arising and shining is us and our world (Isaiah 60:1-3), even in the midst of the darkness and struggles and all that's come against us and will keep coming until "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15)
Yes, 2020 has been a hard year. But all throughout 2020, I've seen the hand of our mighty God!
So I don't curse the struggles. Nor do I curse the days we've all struggled through. I thank You for redeeming the struggles. I thank You that You've not wasted a moment of our struggles, but continue to cause them all to work together for good, as Your Spirit is at work within every one of us who keep drawing near to You, who keeping growing in love with You, who keep persevering in faith with You, all according to Your purpose for our lives and our nation and our world in our generation (Romans 8:28).
And now, as I leave 2020 behind, I'm pressing forward with expectant faith to look and see all You're about to do in this new year ahead! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you keep drawing closer to God than you've ever been, as He keeps redeeming all your struggles and fulfilling all His purposes in your life and nation and world, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. And I continue to join with you in prayer for our nation through these challenging times. God bless you, my friend!
God bless You and Prepare You to Advance in His Power and His Favor into This New Year!
Friends, please consider our ministry in
Your Year-End Giving!
Praying you find our ministry to be good soil
to sow your seed to advance the Kingdom of God
in our world!
God bless you with His joy and peace!
Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:
Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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