Ye Have Not Passed This Way Heretofore

My first 2023 thoughts, “A new year and I am still here!” Yea! My goal is to live to be 100 years old. So far – So good! As we face the New Year lets compare it to the time when Israel had the wilderness behind them (2022) and Jordan before them (2023). The Lord commanded Joshua to “Go forward and cross over Jordan into Canaan (promised land) …that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore… And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel” (Josh. 3:4-7). They closed “behind” doors then opened “before” doors (Phil. 3:13).

The door of 2022 has closed, and the door of 2023 is now before us. As Israel, we also realize that we have not passed this way heretofore. We now face a new, unknown normal that is absolutely abnormal. Adjust is a must!  As Joshua,  learn that the Lord was behind us in 2022 and the Lord is before us in 2023. He continues to direct both our steps and stops (Psa.37:23; Prov. 3:5-6). The song says, “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.” He promises, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).

Evangelist Fred Brown often said, “There are times in all our lives that we need a new beginning.” As you begin this New Year do you need a new beginning? It’s time to close past doors of remorse and regrets. It’s time to open new doors of reaping and rejoicing. As Paul, forget what is behind you and reach forth to what is before you  – A new beginning (Phil. 3:13-14). As you cross over, don’t count the days, but make the days count. Don’t live a life full of days, but live days full of life. Make the days before you the best you have ever known. “This is the day (year) which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psa.118:24). This day, rejoice and shout, “A new year and I am still here! Yea!”

Nevertheless – He Leads On – “He leads us on by paths we do not know, Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow. Though oft we faint and falter on the way, Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day. Yet when the clouds are gone, We know He leads us on. He leads us on through all the unquiet years, Past all hopes, doubts, and fears. He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze, Of losses, sorrows and o’er clouded days. We know His will is done. And still He leads us on” – N.L. Zinzendorf.  

2022 is now Gone –  Nevertheless in 2023 – He Leads On !

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