Every New Year’s Eve, the LORD leads me to scripture for my family to memorize during the coming year. Usually, it’s two verses. However, after a lot of prayer God led me to three verses for 2021, of which I’d like to share with you.
The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1
I love this verse. There’s such comfort in knowing that everything, from the leaders of nations, to the insects, this entire world belongs to God; including those who don’t believe in him. As Christians, it’s important that we remember that, not just for ministry, but to keep ourselves humble.
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement. Proverbs 9:10
This verse is fantastic for navigating through a world on fire.
EVERYTHING has changed. We all need the wisdom of the LORD to know how to survive, and even thrive during these turbulent times.
Speaking of turbulent times…
I have no idea what’s going to happen next month. No one can predict if 2021 is going to be better or worse than 2020. What I do know is that last year, God told me to stay out of politics. I disobeyed. In fact, I dug my heels even further into my political beliefs. After this election, I now understand why God told me to stay out of politics, and wish I would’ve listened. Of course, we should all pray for our nation, and our leaders, but to put our trust in political theater has proven to be a waste of time. It’s easy to get hemmed up on the political divide, and go so far as to make an idol out of man; whether that idol is one you praise, or fear. Politicians are merely human. Yes, we should respect the laws of the land, the titles of the land, and the earthy authority over us, but no Christian should put faith in politics over faith in God.
So, I wanted to encourage my family with this verse:
Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? Isaiah 2:22
But…
God led me to another verse instead.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
As I went over this scripture, I felt the Holy Spirit so strong and a realization hit me. When you look at these two verses together, at first there seems to be a contradiction, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. See for yourselves:
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement. Proverbs 9:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Fear. So do not fear. See how that can be confusing? God is so gracious and taught me something here, because you cannot trust God enough to NOT fear man, circumstances, a disease, or anything else UNTIL you understand how mighty and fearsome he is.
Fear of the LORD’s power leads to total trust of his protection.
So do not fear. No matter what 2021 brings, our God is greater.
Kimberly Humphreys