Every new year is the beginning of a new journey. How will we fare? What will the road be like? Will our way be rough or easy? We may have some rough roads to travel before the year is done. If the way is to be flower strewn; a soft robe and velvet slippers will do. And if all we’re going to do in 2021 is sit and watch television—hide, we don’t need the armor of God. Wool socks and a thick blanket will do just fine. But if we plan to travel rocky roads, traverse the valleys of shadows and death, we need good protection. As we start the new year, God’s word to His army remains the same: Forward, March! And the good news is this: What God demands, He supplies. When He puts His people on a hard road, He gives us what we need for the journey.
Remember His promise of great provision:
As thy days, so shall thy strength shall be. –Deuteronomy 33:25
Note that it is “days” and not “day.” This tells us three things:
- First, God will give strength for each individual day in the year ahead.
- Second, God will give strength for every kind of day we may face. Some days will be filled with joy, light, and happiness; others with sadness, tears, frustration, pain, and heartache. Whatever each day brings, there will be strength enough to meet it.
- Third, God will give strength to all our days until the end of our days. We will run out of days before we run out of God’s strength. The more days, the more strength God gives. Yes, we will have hard days, but fear not. His strength will equal our days. Will we have days of sickness? Fear not. His strength will equal our days. Will we have days of doubt and confusion? Fear not. His strength will equal our days.
Just for a moment think about your three greatest worries as you enter 2021. What are they? What things are occupying your mind and heart? Deuteronomy 33:25 assures us that no matter what happens, God’s strength will always equal the days that are ahead. This is especially a promise for the passing of the years. When we are young, we feel strong and able to take on the world. In our 20’s, we think we’ve got the world by the tail on a downhill slide. In our 30’s and 40’s we can work for hours and not feel tired. But in our 50’s our body starts sending us unexpected messages. We aren’t as strong as we used to be, our energy doesn’t last as long, our stamina seems to disappear quickly. And the parts of our bodies that seemed invincible are now beginning to show signs of wear and tear.
And what will it be like as we grow older? It is the same for all of us,
As your days, so shall your strength be.
Exercise, vitamin supplements are good, but He is the one who numbers our days. Eventually, our bodies will wear out. And that is precisely where this promise becomes so significant. We discover with the passing of time that God’s strength is more than enough for everything we face. So even though we grow older, our faith grows, our hope grows, our love grows, our zeal grows, and our patience grows. As God helps us, we find more and more of what we need. And when the moment comes to leave this life, we find the strength we need to make that final journey. We go from God to God, from life to life, from strength to strength, from joy to joy, from love to love, from God by faith to God by sight.
As your days, so shall your strength be.
What does this suggest for us at the start of a new year? It means that God’s strength will be there when we need it—and not before. We will never find a day when God’s strength is lacking. We will have strength as long as our days last. Therefore, we need not look anxiously ahead.
Truly this is a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.