The calendar year has changed.  It is day four of 2021.  How do you find yourself entering this new year?  Do you enter with hopeful anticipation or fearful apprehension?  Do you enter with vigour, ready to embrace all that comes your way, or with a sense of apathy, captured by a lack of enthusiasm? Or perhaps you feel somewhat like a yo-yo – one moment you are up and ready and another moment you are down and somewhat resistant. I think I am a bit like the yo-yo!

Entrance into 2021 has occurred regardless of how we feel and what we think.  It has arrived and we have all moved into this new moment at the exact same time. Moving into something new is always met by different approaches and feelings.  Regardless of how we respond, there is, I believe, something that focuses and assists us in every change of life.

When God’s people were entering the new land they had been given, they, like us, didn’t have a choice. They had to move forward and enter, and so they did. Perhaps some of the people and families were ready, while others were dragging their heels.  I am sure some were cheering and excited and others were weary and wondering.

Into this moment of movement came the words, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This is a significant statement; one that is worth repeating.  When translating this verse some have asked the question ‘How many is God?’ and the answer seeks to be ‘one.’ The better question, as suggested by a professor as I studied Deuteronomy, is, “Who is the God of Israel?’  The response to this question is, ‘Our God is Yahweh – Yahweh alone’ (alone, unique, only). Our faith believes there is only one absolute or ultimate – there is no other god, and no other rival.  He (Yahweh) is one, not divided, and has purpose and power.  This one God is not controlled or limited by another – there is no other!

This ONE, unrivaled God, promised to lead his people because they were his “treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6).  We too are the treasured possession of the One living God, known in Jesus Christ. He has a purpose for our lives, his church, and the world.  He has the power to accomplish all that he desires and has designed. How good it is to know that we enter 2021 with this ONE, true, living God. The one, who is God alone, is with us, knows us, and loves us.  “Hear, O ______________: (add your personal or surname) The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” May we find rest in his great love for us, for He knows the way and leads the way into this new year.

645: He Leadeth Me! O Blessèd Thought!

1. He leadeth me! O blessèd thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me!
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I will be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

2. Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me!
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I will be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

3. Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur or repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me!
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I will be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

4. And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the victory's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me

He leadeth me, He leadeth me!
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I will be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Eternal, ONE, true God, when we fix our eyes on you, we find that ‘the things of earth grow strangely dim.’ We come to you as we are, confessing both our joys and our struggles. We rejoice that you see and welcome each of us as your treasured possession. We know that when any earthly, treasured possession is carried, it is carried with great love and tenderness.  How much more is the love you have for us. Help us to entrust our lives to you, the one who promised to go with us into every season of life, including 2021.  AMEN

With care and in prayer,