Trusting God with the Rest of This Year
Your Nightly Prayer
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” - Isaiah 12:2
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Every year, on January 1st, individuals all over the world have one thing in common: they set a New Year’s Resolution. By the second or third week, however, these goals and resolutions are typically forgotten and discarded. Instead of revising and reimplementing them, we throw them out with yesterday’s trash.
Sadly, by the halfway point in the year, many of us begin to approach life the same way. We want to make changes, but figure, “oh well, I might as well wait until the new year.” That, or any changes we want to make, seem either far too difficult or not worthwhile enough. Who really likes change, right? But this summer, my challenge to you is not to be afraid to make the necessary changes. I don’t know exactly what that may look like in your life, but in my mind, it means learning to trust and rely on the Lord more.
This past summer, a lot of changes happened to me. I finally received my first traditional book contract with a major Christian publisher, was accepted into a Seminary Program for Counseling, and traveled to nearly every corner of the world (or so it felt). But underneath all of these things was a desire to move into the next month with open hands and steady trust. Because even though I’m now living the life I dreamed of possessing for 16 years, I still need my God just as much as when I didn’t see those dreams coming true.
Trusting God isn’t easy. It means laying down your will in exchange for His. It looks like open hands instead of white-knuckled fists. But as Isaiah 12 encourages us, we can trust God amidst the change and need not fear. Why? Because this is God, the God of our salvation. He’s our strength and defense. And surely, God who died for us, can help us to trust Him with the rest of our year, even when we don’t know what that year will look like.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear God,
Learning to trust you with the rest of this year is scary. I often fear change and the unknown of what the next month will bring. But today, Lord, I surrender it all to you. Every step, breath, move, second belongs to you. As I open my fists, please provide your peace. Remind me that though I may not know the next step, you do. My job is simply obedience, but the outcome is up to you. I praise, thank, and love you, Jesus.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
- Make a list of God’s qualities. For example, God is my salvation, strength, and shield. Then, draw a picture to represent each of His qualities. Label each drawing with a Bible verse.
- Make a list of your goals and dreams for the rest of this year. Submit each one to God and ask Him to help you surrender every one to His will for you.
- Talk to God about what it means to trust Him. Do this on a walk, while sitting in a peaceful posture, or just in your everyday tasks. What matters is that you’re open and honest with Him about your fears and struggles.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
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