"But You remain the same, and Your years will never end" (Psalm 102:27).

Another year is coming to an end. For some of you this has been a year of significant change in your life.  Celebrations such as the birth of a child, a long-awaited job promotion, an in-law added to the family structure, a new home.  In addition to the celebrations you've possibly experienced the loss of a loved one, a difficult job transition, a divorce in the family, or even a major medical battle.  

2009 is around the corner and you're not sure just what to expect.  What do the terrorists have planned? What will happen in the Middle East? How will the economy affect your personal life? What will the political changes bring? Or more importantly, will this be the year for the return of the King of kings?

The portion of Scripture truth in the daily text gives great assurance for life's inevitable transitions.  It's said that change is certain and from our perspective that's true.  There will be change in your life in 2009.  That's for sure.  And there will certainly be change in our world as well! 

The Psalmist is speaking of God in the daily text when he writes, "But you remain the same."  This speaks of the theological attribute known as the immutability of God, which is taught throughout the Bible.  God declares in Malachi 3:6, "For I am the LORD, I change not."  Hebrews 13:8 declares that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  I often find rich assurance in the portion of the great old hymn that states, "Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not. As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be."

The latter part of the verse states, "And your years will never end."  This speaks of the attribute known as the eternality of God.  From eternity past, to this very moment we call "now", and throughout eternity future He is. Less than 24 hours this year will end and one day our physical existence on earth will end, but His years will never end. And the remarkable blessing is that He has made provision for us to live with Him for all eternity!

There are many changes on earth we dread, but the certainty of a future in heaven with the King of kings is a change that fills us with glorious anticipation as we welcome in the new year of 2009.  As we go through life's transitions let us place our growing faith and steadfast hope in God's ever-faithful care!  As we do so, His grace will sustain us and His Word will guide us through another year.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we are so very thankful for all the blessings we enjoyed over the past year of 2008.  There were many opportunities for rejoicing and many opportunities for trusting.  Your mercies are renewed daily and Your provision is experienced in our lives each moment of every day.  We seek You for guidance in the new year and growth in our daily Christian walk.  Though we cannot predict the future we can predict Your faithfulness because You are a God that does not change.  Every promise You've made is true as we have seen in the Biblical records.  This gives us reason to trust You for the dawning of a new year where we will once again experience Your guiding presence in our daily lives.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  Amen.

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Personal Note: Today we are in the Greensboro, North Carolina area visiting my sister Genelle and her husband Cesar.  This morning my sister is fixing my favorite breakfast dish at her place called "Arepas". This afternoon we plan to visit friends in the Charlotte area. Tomorrow we'll visit friends in the Hickory area before returning here tomorrow afternoon. We do not expect to prepare a message tomorrow morning but hope to share one January 2.

Monday we drove on a portion of both the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway in Virgina. These routes run on top of the ridge and are beautiful and far less travelled than the interstates but way, way slower!

Along the Parkway we passed a beautiful mountain lake. Some one apparently felt they needed to clean up the warning sign!

Yesterday we took a five mile hike on a nature trail.  The Greensboro area really is green. (However it's actually named after Nathaniel Green.)

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