Psalm 28:6-7. “Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
In January of 2023, I chose the word perseverance to be my goal to be focused on. That was appropriately needed throughout this past year, along with endurance required to persevere. I think I saw some progress in putting into practice perseverance as I learned the value of Romans 12:12, which states, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Patience is also required to maintain perseverance while in communication with the Lord in prayer. C.S. Lewis said, “God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them.” Woodrow Wilson said, “Genius is divine perseverance. Genius I cannot claim nor even extra brightness but perseverance all can have.” I agree with both quoted statements.
For 2024, I have now chosen the word “trust.” It is reported that the word trust is mentioned over 150 times in the Bible. Abraham, Moses, and Job were prime Old Testament examples of how they trusted in God even in the most impossible situations. Then there was David that stands out as a man after God’s own heart and prayed with passion. David’s son, Absalom, had several unwise advisers that God used to cause the end of his life and protect David from his son’s plan of insurrection against him.
David wrote many Psalms, praising the LORD for God’s guidance and protection from various enemies he had against him as king. Yet David admitted in Psalm 25:16 that he was “lonely and afflicted.” It is reported that David wrote this Psalm towards the end of his life, so he was older when he wrote Psalm 25. He stated in verse 21, “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.”
When life doesn’t make sense in this coming new year of 2024, I will choose to trust in what Psalm 84:11, declares, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield, the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk uprightly.”
Maybe you have some unseen scars from this past year. You may have wounds in your heart and soul that still hurt. David felt that way too from having his closest advisor friend, Ahithophel, who betrayed David, aiding his son Absalom in trying to kill David and overthrow his kingship. But God protected David’s life. “For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring harm upon Absalom.” 2 Samuel 17:14b. Ahithophel ended up committing suicide by hanging himself (2 Samuel 17:23) because his advice had not been followed. Next, Absolom’s mule he was riding on, went under the thick boughs of a terebinth tree (from which turpentine and sweet-smelling gums used in medicine are harvested), and his head was caught in it, and he was hanged. God took them both out of David’s way, two enemies, due to God’s ordained purpose of David being king of Israel and not Absolum, his son. Nothing prevents God from accomplishing His will.
So, I will purpose to trust in God’s shield of protection over me and give me perfect peace, because it promises in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast {perseverance and steadfast go together}, because they trust in you.”
What will be your word for 2024?
Listen to Jon Reddick – God, Turn It Around (Feat. Matt Maher) Official Music Video).