2020 Vision
I don't know about your year but this one has been hard for many of those in Desiring Truth. A year of sickness, attack, opposition, tragedy - a year of hopes seemingly dashed, a year of times when the darkness threatened to become so all-encompassing that the light seemed hard to find. BUT GOD........
But God, He never moved - He has been ever present and His grace and mercy always enough. He has enabled us to push back the darkness and to walk out into His marvellous light - enabled us to praise Him even through the hard times, to lift His name and thank Him as we remembered His never ending love.
A few weeks ago, I heard, almost as if for the first time, 2020 - 20-20 and it struck me that the Lord was speaking to me of what this coming year would be. A year when my eyes would be clear - a year when my sight would be 20/20 - perfect, focused, clear. A year when I would walk in continuous, never ending, beautiful, bright light - a year when His vision would be my vision and when all of those who have put their trust in Him, who have chosen to follow Him, would see the path ahead as His Highway of Holiness.
The Highway that leads us to Him, to Holiness; the highway that began with Him, with Holiness, and continues in Him, in Holiness, because we walk in the sure and certain knowledge that He has gone before and made the rough places smooth.
Isaiah 35:3-10
Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble, say to those with anxious heart, 'take courage, fear not'. Behold your God will come with vengeance, the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah (desert). The scorched land will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, its resting place, grass becomes reeds and rushes.
A highway will be there, a roadway and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way and fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, nor will any vicious beast go up on it, these will not be found there.
But the redeemed of the Lord will walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads they will find gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
He has walked our road and now He walks before and beside us - He navigates the difficult places, the the mountains, the valleys and He faces and defeats the giants that appear around the corners. The battle is Mine says the Lord - I AM the mighty, victorious Champion and you will experience My joy and My peace.
So, my prayer today on this last day on 2019 - is, bring it on Lord. Set my feet to walking this road. Show me Your vision, open my eyes so that I can clearly discern Your will and Your way.
Remind me always of Your Word, the sword of the Spirit who lives within me. Remind me to wield it and hold every thought captive, destroy every stronghold and every mighty fortress that raises itself against the knowledge of God. Enable me to stand firm, help me to walk in Your armour - the Truth of Your salvation so that I might lead others into the bright new day that You have set before us.
Oh Lord, thank You for this year, 2019 - for all that You have taught me through it, for all the love that You have poured out on me in it and for all the transforming work You have done by it. May I walk this Highway of Holiness in 2020 with joy and never cease to praise You for all that You are and all that You have done to bring me out of darkness into Your marvellous light.
May You be ever praised my wonderful, beautiful Saviour and may I lift Your Name high as I walk with You this coming year.
And for all those connected in any way with Desiring Truth - thank you for your encouragement and support - may you know the Lord's blessing and His powerful life-giving grace this year.
