Scripture tells us the Lord loves that Land, “The Lord your God cares for this land. His eyes watch over it from the beginning to the end of the year.” (Deut. 11:11b-12 NLV)

That Land of Promise is to us, the land where the Lord supplies the rain and sunshine, heat and cold, seeds and changing seasons, where the streams never are cut off or dry up, no matter if there is a drought or an earthquake or a violent storm.

However, God warned the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of the land, and you and I can take it to mean the same to us, “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.” (Num. 33:55 NKJV)

As you travel through this Land, be sure to drive out those fears and doubts and thoughts of bitterness and unforgiveness and all the others, for they will become squatters of harassment if you let them.

“But the land you are about to go into and take for your own is a land of hills and valleys.” (Deut. 11:11a NLV) Sometimes, they are lush, green hills of praise and thanksgiving, where you climb to their summits and take in those sweeping vistas, not necessarily as telescopic views into the future but as windows upon the present.

And sometimes, they are hills of struggle, of change and trial, where the rains of God’s grace and mercy fall and flow down into the valleys of need and heartache to produce fruitful valleys, and those rains continue into never-ending streams of guidance and comfort and love.

When a mount of circumstance rises up before you, do not be afraid to ascend that hill. You may be dismayed by its height and vastness but one step at a time will bring you to those heights of glory unknown before. And no matter how steep the way seems, keep your eyes on the way before you; your climb will be that much easier…

The Lord knows the way; He leads on gently. Not allowing more in your path than you can handle. Do not be disillusioned at the seeming darkness on your path; He will be your Light, your Guide, your Strength, your Peace, and your Comfort.

There are miles to cover this year, tests to take, new things to experience, gifts to discover, moments to breathe in, promises to possess, and sins to release.

May you go forth to possess each gift, each promise, and each day’s delivery of the Lord, to conquer each challenge you encounter, and to be the victor and not the victim of its confrontations. May your journey through the New Year be guided and protected and may it be filled with abundant blessings.

Remember, God’s promise is that He will watch over you from the beginning of the year…until the end. (A New Year’s Letter of Encouragement)

When you dwell in His land, the Lord says, “I will be with you and bless you.” (Gen. 26:3 NKJV)