As we come to the close of an eventful year, let’s look to the Lord this morning to thank Him for His care and love. Also, let’s wait upon Him to face the New Year. Without Him we can do nothing! So let us humbly trust Him to take us through. 

The Good Shepherd: Isaiah 40:11: “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” As we look ahead into the horizon of 2019, we feel the helplessness when thinking about what is there in store for us. But instead, let us look to Him who says He will carry us in His arms- His Everlasting arms that can carry us through the shifting of times! In John’s Gospel, we read how He gave His life to give us life and strength. John 10:11:  "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Also, let's be assured that He knows us and all our inabilities. John 10:14:  I am the good shepherd, and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

God strengthens us:
God works from inside to give us strength. His power is made manifest when we feel weak in our own abilities. That's why Paul says: 2Cor.12:9:  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Jesus came to the world with grace and truth. As we understand the Truth, we also understand our own inability to walk in it. But God does not stop there; He gives His Grace (enabling power) to those who wait upon Him. His grace is more than sufficient in our weakness. In our fallen human nature, we can never please God by walking in our strength. The more we try the more we understand our inability. As we get frustrated about this tiring exercise, let us come boldly to the throne of grace to receive an abundance of Grace. Heb. 4:16:  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
Let us understand who our Jesus is. He was here on earth and He went through every situation you and I can go through and He overcame the situations. Heb 4:15: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. He can surely strengthen us if we allow Him willfully to control our lives by living in us. He will, in turn, make us overcomers in this world. 
After understanding our own inability to lead a successful life, let us submit our very lives to Him. He is a good shepherd who will carry us in His own arms and He gives His grace to strengthen us from the inside. What a wonderful God we serve! He loves us so much that He assures us all these wonderful promises on His behalf. He is performing all this individually to each of us. He loves us in person. Let us love Him and allow Him to lead us by living on the inside of us- in 2019.

Prayer:

“Abba Father, thank You for Your loving care in my life;

I do hereby submit my life to be led by You in 2019.

Amen”