Many of us get a little on the reflective side as one year concludes and another year begins. The older one grows the faster time seems to be flying by.

I have been reflecting a little before I am writing this. I’ve been thinking back over my personal life. There have been times that I would say my life has not been easy, but I can tell you and testify that the Lord God is fully trustworthy, and His peace is incredible. It doesn’t mean that we don’t have hurts, disappointments, times of uncertainty or difficulties. However, what a difference He makes!

Let me take you back to something I wrote in 2014. It is still very true today.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

Trusting the Lord in the good times is easy. Maybe I ought to say easier! But genuine trust is best experienced and demonstrated in the difficult times. As a former pastor, I have stood by the hospital bedside of hundreds and hundreds of believers and encouraged them to trust the Lord as He would see them through.

Then I had the situation of having the roles reversed. In seven years I underwent five very major back surgeries. Especially before one of the more difficult surgeries, I had several moments of being alone. Lying on the surgical gurney, I personally discovered once again that “perfect peace” comes from having my “mind stayed on Him.” The wonderful truth of keeping your mind focused on the Lord, His greatness and faithfulness, as well as His abiding love and goodness, does not have to be reserved for the big, major times. It works in those times, but it also works in the everyday living as a believer.

For today: Do you know the Lord as your Savior? Then you can trust Him and enjoy His precious peace.