‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power…’ (Ephesians 6:10)

These words begin a portion of Scripture that we will be thinking of over the next week – The Armour of God. But let’s just consider these few words first and pick up from what we thought of yesterday. As we live out our busy lives each day there may be times when we feel tired, downtrodden, even overwhelmed by all that we face and experience and it may bring us down. If ever we feel that happening these words remind us to look to the Lord, and to find strength in Him. We will still have to face whatever comes our way, but in the strength of the Lord we will be more able to do so.

‘Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid…’ (Matthew 6:50)

Every day we may face situations when our courage and our faith is put to the test and we may become fearful – for ourselves, our loved ones, the world around us. These words spoken by Jesus as He walked on the water to His disciples remind us that we need not be fearful. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, whatever we face, the Lord will be with us – all we need do is call on His name and He will be by our side.

‘I always thank God as I remember you in my prayers…’ (Philemon 1:4)

When we pray to God for others we are often thankful for what they may have done or for what God has done in their lives, but how often, I wonder, do we pause to give thanks to God for the wonderful opportunity we have to come before Him in prayer. Take time today, when you come to God in prayer, to thank Him that we are indeed able to approach Him in this way, knowing that He will listen and that He will answer.

‘The Lord is high above all nations and His glory above the heavens…’ (Psalm 113:4)

In a few words the Psalmist here reminds us of the sheer glory of our Lord and of His greatness, words worth reflecting on even more so now as we enter a period of further restrictions and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic. Things might look bleak at the moment, but the glory of the Lord is all around us, if we would but open our hearts as well as our eyes. So as we come to Him today, ask Him to help us to see His glory in all that we see and experience and to acknowledge His greatness.

‘As with gladness men of old, did the guiding star behold…’

As we enter this season of Epiphany, may the Lord be our guiding star in the year ahead.

‘Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord…’

These words from the final verse of The First Nowell encourage us to lift our voices in praise to the Lord and what better time to do so than at the beginning of a new year. So as we stand on the threshold of 2021, looking to the year ahead, let’s lift our voices and our hearts to the Lord, not just today but every day of the year ahead.

‘God of God, Light of light…’

As 2021 begins pray that the Lord might be the light by whom we are all guided this year, particularly those in positions of leadership and authority.

‘What can I give Him, poor as I am…

Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart…’

These closing words of In The Bleak Midwinter say quite simply and succinctly what the Lord requires of us – our heart! As another year comes to an end, a year where there has been so much pain and anguish for so many, lets resolve now to give our hearts to the Lord and let’s pray that all people everywhere would do the same.

‘O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray….

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel.’

Just simply pray these words over and over again – asking not only for the Lord to be with you, but also with all His children.