Thoughts for the New Year by Mrs. C. O. Hall

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 5, 1914

Thoughts for the New Year

By Mrs. C. O. Hall

MRS. C. O. HALL

"Leaving those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

If we are walking with God, the past, with its mistakes and failures, is placed under the blood, and today comes the promise to our hearts, "From this day will I bless you." Haggai 2:19. This is a promise that will extend through the year, for at all times we can hear his voice still saying, "From this day."

"For ye have not passed this way heretofore." Joshua 3:4. A veil hides the future from our eyes. What awaits us we know not; whether sickness or health, success or disappointment, life or death, is known only to him. But the promise rings out just the same, "From this day will I bless you."

"O, blissful lack of wisdom! 'Tis blessed not to know: He holds me with his own right hand, And will not let me go.

"So on I go—not knowing, I would not if I might: I'd rather walk in the dark with God Than go alone in the light."

But looking into the future, the cry goes out from our hearts, as it did from that of Moses: "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." Moses feared to proceed without divine guidance, and so ought we. How can we face the future, with all its snares and pitfalls, its sorrows and trials, without an arm of strength to lean upon? But, as God went with Moses through the wilderness, and supported and strengthened him, so he says to us, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." And again: "As thy days, so shalt thy strength be." O, blessed word of God! How it thrills our hearts as we remember that his promises are all for us.

Not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father's notice, and we are of more value than many sparrows. So let us encourage our hearts in God this year. Be strong and very courageous. Face the devil with all his arts and wiles, knowing that our God is greater than all who can be arrayed against us. Arise, daughter of Zion! Shake off thy fears. Friends may fail; riches may take wings and fly away; reputation may be lost; churches may go; and our faith in mankind may be shaken; but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Glory be to his precious name. He never leaves nor forsakes us, and if he is for us, who can be against us? Unless we choose to separate ourselves from him, nothing can sever us from the Saviour—"neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature." If we could see ourselves in the light of eternity, how we should praise God for all the testings and trials which we have had!

May we, on the threshold of this new year, leave the things that are behind, and press forward with stronger faith and purpose to live for him.

Providence, R. I.