December 26, 2018

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:21-23

Each time the year draws to a close I find myself, as I imagine most people do, reflection on the events of the past twelve months. There are always great highs and great lows. However, we seem to take an average and classify each year as a great year or a difficult year. Over my lifetime I can think of both wonderful and painful years. This past year has been one of the most difficult years of my life. But even in the difficult years, I find one constant: God is faithful. He is merciful and compassionate. Not a single beautiful event occurs in my life without His mercy being the root. Not a single dark moment transpires without Him compassionately walking me through it. God has always been faithful.

The beautiful part about looking back on God’s faithfulness is that it gives us a pattern for our future. I do not know what lies ahead in the coming year. As this year closes, I am beginning to see an end to the struggles that have overwhelmed me. I am hoping that the coming year will be full of joyful time with my church, my friends, and my family. But whatever the coming year holds, I can be sure of this; God is faithful. His mercies will continue to go before me and His compassion will continue to walk alongside me. In this I find great hope!

In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon