Thus far . . .

"The Lord who 'thus far' has helped you will help you all your journey through."

John Newton, 1725-1807

 

Such a lovely window display that my friend, Kathy, created!

 

2021 has arrived. We've made it to a new year. Anticipation of something better in 2021. But as Charles Spurgeon pointed out in a recent devotion I read: "Thus far has the Lord helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12b

 

"The words 'thus far' appear to be a hand pointing to the past," Spurgeon writes, "Whether twenty years or seventy . . . through poverty and wealth, through sickness and health, at home and abroad, on land and at sea, in honor and dishonor, in difficulty and joy, in trials and triumphs, and in prayer and temptation--'Thus far has the Lord helped us.'"

 

2020 was a very difficult year, but with God's help He got us through. And He will get us through until our days are over. We have reason to rejoice because our God is Faithful. 

 

"Do you see the birds singing in the branches? Surely there are many and they are all singing to the Lord's mercy received 'thus far.'"  Have you been singing God's praises! For awhile now I've written posts about singing to God and beautiful hymns written in the past. Singing really does play a BIG part in our overall well being and joy.

 

And a happy snow day to you!
 

 I love to sing hymns because they are written to bring out Scripture and tell a story. And those stories help us as we go through each day of our life. There are many new songs as special as the old hymns, but you're missing wonderful encouragement if you don't sing the old hymns. 

 

"Then will come old age, sickness, disease, and death, but will this be the end? No! We will awaken to much more--the likeness of Jesus, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, robes of righteousness, the face of Jesus, the fellowship of the saints, the glory of God, infinite happiness, and the fullness of eternity," Spurgeon wrote.

 

 Yes, God has brought us thus far, and He will continue to lead us all our days. Even in this new year.

 

"The road often leads through green pastures and beside the still waters, more often through long valleys, shadowless and deep, over mountains unscalable; but let us ask not questions concerning the road as we journey, for the road leads home. He Himself walks with us."  

Unknown author, Streams in the Desert 2

2021 is here. You are alive. No matter what happens God will see you through. That's worth shouting about!!!!

 

"The golden summary of our life is to be this: as to the past, a record of gratitude; as to the present, a record of service; and as to that future, a record of trust."  

D. M. Panton 

 

Hey Jo, it looks whiter over here!

 

I think of the wonderful hymn: "O God, Our Help In Ages Past" and invite you to sing with me about our faithful God, a paraphrase of Psalm 90, by Isaac Watts, 1674-1748!

"O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,

our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.

 

"Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defense is sure.

 

"Before the hills in order stood or earth received her frame,

from everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.

 

"A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone;

Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.

 

"Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all its sons away;

they fly, forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

 

"O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,

be Thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home." 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKP_XxCBDZY