“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” Job 8:7
Many of us remember the trials and testing of Job’s faith and trust in God. Job, an upright man, had been through so much in such a short time. All ten of his children were taken from him, his health was compromised, his friends turned their back on him, he lost all he owned, including his home, and his wife told him to curse God and die. Job refused to allow all the calamity that came upon him to change who he was or who he believed God to be in his life. He quickly reminded his wife, “should we only accept the God things from God and not the bad?” Job’s integrity and character remained intact. While his friend, Bildad, may have meant the above words as a way for Job to question his life, God used those very words to bless Job.
After Job’s loss, he experienced a humble beginning, but that is not how the story ends. God restored Job and gave him double for his trouble. 2020 was a challenging year for us all. Many of us may have felt like Job. We should be encouraged in the New Year of 2021 of God’s faithfulness as we embark upon new beginnings. Look at this year as a year of opportunity, new beginnings, and blessings. 2021 is a clean slate to create the future and present of the best God has for you. We leave the old behind and embrace the new as God is doing a new thing in each of us. Stay encouraged and optimistic because while your beginnings may have been humble, your future is prosperous. Receive it and be blessed. Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Reverend Takana L. Jefferson, Chaplain, United States Navy