GOD IS WITH US!

GOD IS WITH US!

A HAPPY AND BLESSED YEAR 2026 TO US ALL! 

In all things we are grateful and thankful.

It is the start of another calender year and we mostly always celebrate it. I pray that we will always have reasons to celebrate in this new year.

While preparing to write this article a hymn came to mind and I would like to share the words of that hymn right here.

STANDING AT THE PORTAL OF THE OPENING YEAR.

BY FRANCES RIDLEY HARVEGAL

1.Standing at the portal of the opening year,

Words of comfort meet us hushing every fear,

Spoken through the silence by God’s loving voice,

Tender, strong and faithful, making us rejoice.

2. “I, your God, am with you: do not be afraid;

I will help and strengthen; do not be dismayed,

For I will uphold you with my own right hand;

You are called and chosen in my sight to stand.”

3. God will not forsake us and will never fail;

God’s eternal covenant ever will prevail.

Resting on this promise, what have we to fear?

God is all-sufficient for the coming year.” 

The refrain which is sung at the end of every verse goes like this.

REFRAIN:

Onward, then, and fear not, children of the day,

For God’s word shall never, never pass away.

The words of this hymn say a lot. I also find them reassuring. As much as we are always elated to usher in the new year, some come into it with baggages of all kinds of bitter, painful , traumatic experiences. They do not know how to just leave them behind and really some of such baggages cannot actually be left behind.

Can you leave behind a loved one who suddenly fell ill and is still in the hospital ?

Can you leave behind the grief of losing a dear loved one who went home to be with the LORD so suddenly and so unexpectedly?

Can you leave behind a court case where you are suing for damages to the tune of billions?

Can you leave behind a rebellious teenager who is running with the wrong crowd?

Can you leave behind a daughter who insists on being called a son?

Can you leave behind a teenage daughter who is unexpectedly pregnant for a man even she does not know?

Can you leave behind a business that you have invested everything into and returns are nowhere on the horizon?

I believe that there are many other issues like these that we cannot leave behind and if that is the case then we should bring them along and drop them at the feet of Jesus. He will carry them for us. He said to us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV This signifies that in Jesus we have every comfort, support and  guidance that we need. I am currently going through the Gospels and it is repeated therein how Jesus heals every form of sickness and disease and how he delivers all those who are possessed and opressed by demons. He even multiplies what is not enough until it becomes more than enough by giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for the little that it is. Jesus will help us through whatever it is. His strength is perfect for us.

Over and over again the above hymn assures us that we have nothing to fear. We have read that the bible contains about three hundred and sixty-five ‘Fear nots” depending on the Bible translation (one fear not for every blessed day!) We are assured that God is with us and that He will strengthen us and uphold us with His own right hand. No matter what we went through in the past year, there are lessons we learnt and it is right to show gratitude for past lessons and be confident that there is a future of “amazing possibilities” in the coming months as we let God lead. “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 KJV 

The third verse of the hymn ends by saying “God is sufficient for the coming year.” The message of hope in the hymn encourages us to move forward boldly and without fear into the new year because God’s love never fails and His mercy is everlasting. We must trust Him to do what He says He will do.

Emmanu – El has come to stay. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Raise your hopes, they will not be dashed.

Rejoice in the LORD.

Rest on the promises of God that are yes! and amen!

We will not be put to shame!

IT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR.

GOD IS WITH US!

 

OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©