Some churches, notably those of African-American tradition, hold "watch night" services on New Year's Eve each year to usher in the new year. The late-night service includes a time of thanksgiving and worship, as well as asking God to watch over the coming year. A watch night service is a powerful reminder that it is the Lord who holds our lives, and our hope should be placed in Him.
There are so many things in which we may be tempted to place our hope for 2019. Once I finish the degree......once I get the promotion.....once I receive the authorization......once I have a child/ spouse..... Education, power, recognition, a visa/ green card/ citizenship, money, relationships - these are wonderful gifts that some people may receive, but we will be sorely disappointed if our hope rests in achieving these. Consider what the psalmist observed:
"No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save." (Psalm 33:16-17)
God's way of working is mysterious. He can take a little and turn it into a lot. He can take a lot and turn it into nothing. Throughout the Bible, we see God using the few, the uneducated, the humble, the elderly, the little children, the unknown, the sinner, the five loaves of bread and two fish, the mite. It doesn't matter how little we have or are, just that we bring our all to Him.
"But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love....
We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.
May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." (Psalm 33:18-22)
Father, thank You for Your unfailing love that is beyond our understanding. Thank You for being our help and shield. For all the families and volunteers You have brought to Emerging FIELD, we ask that Your Presence be known and that You be the source of hope. We ask for Your watch care and loving-kindness over the families, especially those that are hurting or feeling hopeless. You are good.
There are so many things in which we may be tempted to place our hope for 2019. Once I finish the degree......once I get the promotion.....once I receive the authorization......once I have a child/ spouse..... Education, power, recognition, a visa/ green card/ citizenship, money, relationships - these are wonderful gifts that some people may receive, but we will be sorely disappointed if our hope rests in achieving these. Consider what the psalmist observed:
"No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save." (Psalm 33:16-17)
God's way of working is mysterious. He can take a little and turn it into a lot. He can take a lot and turn it into nothing. Throughout the Bible, we see God using the few, the uneducated, the humble, the elderly, the little children, the unknown, the sinner, the five loaves of bread and two fish, the mite. It doesn't matter how little we have or are, just that we bring our all to Him.
"But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love....
We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.
May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." (Psalm 33:18-22)
Father, thank You for Your unfailing love that is beyond our understanding. Thank You for being our help and shield. For all the families and volunteers You have brought to Emerging FIELD, we ask that Your Presence be known and that You be the source of hope. We ask for Your watch care and loving-kindness over the families, especially those that are hurting or feeling hopeless. You are good.