The Year is Crowned with God’s Goodness

“Would anyone say this about 2020?” is what I asked myself just now. A few days before, I woke up to this verse ringing in my mind. I hadn’t read it in my devotions yet, (I was on Psalm 61) but I didn’t have the time to think because my immediate reaction was, “Really?! Why this verse? At this time? Not just the world around me, I’m going through a tough time too.” (Honestly, I was just thinking of myself.)

I held onto the verse nonetheless repeating it mindlessly, like a child holding an uncut diamond, tossing it from hand to hand, unaware of its true beauty.

Today, I see what a lack of faith I displayed at that moment and probably have for a long time now. How I have chosen to see everything around me, through my own cloudy vision, instead of through the eyes of faith, all the while wondering why joy and peace seem to escape my grasp. How I’ve lived in defeat, unaware of the preciousness of the promises of God made available to me through Jesus Christ.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

And lately, I haven’t been diligent in seeking Him. I haven’t been coming to God, in faith. I wanted to be angry, wanted to shut Him out, because my life wasn’t going as I expected.

No wonder I lack joy and peace.

No wonder I find it hard to believe that this year is crowned with His goodness.

Because, it takes faith in the Creator and Sustainer of all things, believing that He is who He says He is, to be able to believe in His promises.

It seems like when it comes to getting peace, He often expects me to take a step of faith, in a direction that I would never have imagined for myself.

I’m not sure what awaits me or anyone else in the rest of this year. It scares me. But I do know, there is a flicker of a desire to please my God, whom I’ve recently come to see as my Father. A small seed, almost choked by the weeds of self-love, of wanting to live a life that honours Him for who He is and the way He gave up His all for me.

So, hesitantly, as scared as I am, I think I will ask for eyes of faith, to see that He is good and that this year is crowned with His goodness.

S. D.