And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way”.
King George VI quoted that poem by Minnie Louise Haskins in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire.
To honour Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday, a book entitled The Servant Queen and the King She Serves was published. The book’s forward states that young Princess Elizabeth, aged 13, handed the poem to her father.
As we begin a new year, let’s remember that we are safer in the dark with our hand firmly in the hand of God than we are in the light, all by ourselves. God will give us just enough light to make the next step. If we could see all the way down the path of 2023, we might be frightened at what we see. Alternatively, knowing that the path was clear and full of good things could lead to self-confidence.
God wants us to trust him with whatever circumstances come into our lives.
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)
As you venture into 2023, may your hand be firmly in the hand of God. This is my prayer for myself and you.
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Beautiful -very encouraging and something to hold tight to “-a friend that sticketh closer than a brother “!!!
Thank you. A friend that sticks closer than a brother, indeed!
Wise words Denise, thank you for sharing them, and thank for the blessing. I gladly receive it, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you Anne-Marie for blessing me with your thoughts. We need never fear when our hand is firmly in the hand of God.